Lecture has special meaning for Dean of Education

Posted: February 13, 2015 11:35 a.m.

Dr. Jennifer Tupper has been invited to give the Dr. Ottilia Chereka Memorial Lecture in Education and Social Justice at the University of New Brunswick on February 19.

“I knew Dr. Chareka before she was murdered by her husband and we shared similar commitments to social justice education,” says Dr. Tupper who is acting Dean of the Faculty of Education. “It means so much for me to be invited to speak at the lecture.”

Dr. Ottila Chareka, originally from Zimbabwe, was a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of St. Francis Xavier. She arrived in Canada in 1993 and earned three degrees at the University of New Brunswick. Her research focused on bringing marginalized groups such as Aboriginal people into more prominent positions in society. She was respected by academics, adored by the community and was a role model for African-Canadians and First Nations women.

“She was an amazing scholar, teacher, mother, and colleague who touched the lives of those around her,” says Dr. Tupper. “Speaking at UNB is a way for me to honour her memory and continue the work that she was so passionate about. I am humbled and deeply privileged to be invited to give the memorial lecture in her name.

“Dr. Chereka’s death represents not only a profound loss for all those influenced by her work but an imperative to confront circumstances of inequity and oppression that affect so many in this country,” says Dr. Tupper. 

Dr. Tupper’s talk is titled ‘Since Time Immemorial: Unpacking the Canadian Colonial Narrative through Treaty Education.’

“Treaty education has the potential to shift the historical consciousness of young people, inviting them into a different narrative of Canada's history,” says Dr. Tupper whose research in this area is highly regarded.  

“Her scholarship on treaty education and other aspects of Aboriginal education is known internationally and clearly fits the framework for the Chareka lecture,” says Dr. Alan Sears, Faculty of Education professor at the University of New Brunswick.

The lecture will be live streamed February 19 at 5 p.m. Central time here: http://www.youtube.com/user/UNBFEduc

‘Inspiring and Transforming Education’ is the motto of the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education. To learn more about the faculty’s diverse programs please visit: http://www.uregina.ca/education/about-us/index.html