Renowned Indigenous Scholar to Receive Distinguished Researcher Award at the U of S

Posted October 15, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, October 15, 2004 2004-10-15-OTHER

Renowned Indigenous Scholar to Receive Distinguished Researcher Award

Marie Battiste, a University of Saskatchewan researcher and one of Canada's
pre-eminent indigenous scholars, will receive the university's Distinguished
Researcher Award at the October 23 Fall Convocation.

A Mi'kmaq educator originally from the Potlo'tek First Nation in Nova
Scotia, Battiste is a professor in the U of S College of Education and
coordinator of the Indian and Northern Education Program within Educational
Foundations. She is also co-director of the Humanities Research Unit at the
U of S.

"Professor Battiste is one of Canada's most respected researchers in the
field of indigenous and First Nations education," says Steven Franklin, U of
S Vice-President Research.

"She is known in both academic and Aboriginal circles for her excellent
scholarship, depth of knowledge and experience, and commitment to advancing
indigenous education."

The Distinguished Researcher Award, which carries a $1,000 prize, recognizes
a U of S faculty member who has made a major contribution to knowledge
through research and publication.

Battiste is known in Canada and internationally through her studies and
published work, and her academic reputation has resulted in her becoming a
popular speaker as well as a technical expert to the United Nations on the
subject of indigenous education.

"Professor Battiste's research has had a broad and far-reaching impact, not
only within her discipline but upon policy-makers both in Canada and
internationally," says Education Dean Cecilia Reynolds.

"She is an institutional and national treasure, and fully deserving of this
university's award for distinguished research."

Battiste's rich academic background includes graduate studies at Harvard
University and later Stanford University, where she earned her doctorate in
curriculum and teacher education. Her credentials also include a B.S. in
Elementary and Junior High Education (1971) from the University of Maine,
Farmington. She was presented with an honorary degree from that institution
and also from St. Mary's University.

All U of S Distinguished Researchers deliver a lecture after receiving the
award. Battiste's lecture, called "Transformative Research: The Journey
toward Correcting a Failed Education System," will be in the St. Thomas More
College auditorium December 2 at 7:30 p.m.

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Note to editors: Photo is available.

For more information, contact:

Marie Battiste
College of Education
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7576
marie.battiste@usask.ca

Dale Worobec
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
dale.worobec@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research