Beloved community member and Indigenous Elder joins 蹤獲扞⑹ as Chancellor
Elder Darlene McIntosh is honoured to be the first 蹤獲扞⑹ Chancellor from the Lheidli Tenneh Nation. She has been an active member of the 蹤獲扞⑹ community for years, from providing welcoming words at events to participating in the 蹤獲扞⑹ Lheidli Tenneh Translation Initiative committee.
Prince George, B.C. Darlene McIntosh, an Elder with the has been named 蹤獲扞⑹s eighth Chancellor. She will be sworn in at a special celebration on Oct. 21, 2022.
I am honoured to serve as 蹤獲扞⑹s Chancellor and to be the first Chancellor in 蹤獲扞⑹s history from the Lheidli Tenneh Nation. The immense responsibility 蹤獲扞⑹ has to the region it serves is important, says McIntosh. As 蹤獲扞⑹s Chancellor, I am proud to support the goals and objectives in having this remarkable higher learning institution in northern British Colombia and I look forward to the tremendous opportunities for continued growth and diversity in our community and beyond.
McIntosh has a remarkable presence at 蹤獲扞⑹, generously contributing her time and knowledge in providing welcoming words on behalf of Lheidli Tenneh at countless 蹤獲扞⑹ events and celebrations. In addition to her presence, however, she was a critical member of the 蹤獲扞⑹ Lheidli Tenneh Translation Initiative committee. This committee worked on the translation required for the creation of the new entrance sign to the Prince George campus, on which Nizdeh Nekeyoh Hohudileh Baiyoh in the Lheidli Tenneh dialect of the Dakelh language represents 蹤獲扞⑹ as a House of Learning. She was in attendance when 蹤獲扞⑹ raised the Lheidli Tenneh flag permanently at the Prince George campus and signed the first Memorandum of Understanding with Lheidli Tenneh Nation in 2016.
Elder McIntosh has been a member of the 蹤獲扞⑹ community for years. When she offers an opening prayer or a territory welcome at a 蹤獲扞⑹ event, one instantly feels a sense of calm, appreciation and respect for the lands that our Prince George campus sits. Shes also been pivotal in strengthening the relationship 蹤獲扞⑹ is honoured to have with the Lheidli Tenneh Nation, says 蹤獲扞⑹ President Dr. Geoff Payne. I am grateful to all those involved in the decision-making process, especially the 蹤獲扞⑹ Alumni Council, and to Dr. Rheanna Robinson for submitting the initial nomination of such a tremendous individual.
Elder McIntosh currently serves as Cultural Advisor at the The safe and welcoming space she provides for students, staff, and faculty at CNC is one in which people will always find support and understanding. Her presence at notable community events are too numerous to mention, but include highlights such as the 2015 Canada Winter Games and the raising of the Lheidli Tenneh Memorial Flag at School District No. 57 in 2022.
Its an honour to have such an influential knowledge holder as Elder McIntosh take on such an important role at 蹤獲扞⑹, says 蹤獲扞⑹ Board Catherine Wishart. Our entire community will have the opportunity to listen to, learn from, and be guided by Darlene's wisdom as we take meaningful steps along the path of Truth and Reconciliation. On behalf of the Board, I offer my thanks to her for accepting our invitation and am excited to work with her even more closely in the future.
蹤獲扞⑹s Chancellor is appointed by the 蹤獲扞⑹ Board of Governors, after a lengthy process that includes a broad call for nominations, consultation with Board Members and Senators and a formal nomination by the Alumni Council. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University.
It is wonderful to have a Chancellor with such strong community ties, and who is already connected to 蹤獲扞⑹, says 蹤獲扞⑹ Alumni Council Chair Isabella Wilson-Beaulieu. The Alumni Council appreciates the role we play in the selection process. We look forward to working with such a strong community leader.
McIntosh follows previous Chancellors the Hon. Iona V. Campagnolo, Dr. K. George Pedersen, Peter J.G. Bentley, Dr. Alex C. Michalos, Dr. John MacDonald, the Hon. James Moore, and Dr. Joseph Arthur Gosnell Sr.
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