University of Ottawa names first Indigenous chancellor
Posted Jun 24, 2022 01:05:00 PM.
The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has appointed First Nations activist Claudette Commanda as chancellor, the first Indigenous leader in the institution's 174-year history.
Commanda, who is an Algonquin Anishinaabe from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, will become the school's 15th chancellor in the fall, as well as the third female chancellor. She will succeed Calin Rovinescu, whose second term will end in November of 2022.
“This means honour, pride, and happiness to me, but it also means bringing the validation and recognition that Algonquin people have so much to contribute, and we continue to contribute. It's so meaningful and I'm so honoured to be chosen for this position,” said Commanda in a release from uOttawa.
Commanda told The Sam Laprade Show on Friday, June 24 that there hasn't been many moments in her life that left her speechless, but this historic moment did.
“It is such an honour,” she said. “I am proud as an Algonquin woman to carry this title.”
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Claudette Commanda, who is a well-known member of our community,” said president and vice-chancellor Jacques Frémont in a release. “She will continue bringing her leadership, passion, and wisdom, on behalf of Indigenous peoples to the University as a whole. Claudette holds degrees from the uOttawa Faculty of Arts (’93) and the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section (’97), and was inducted into the Common Law Honour Society in 2009.”
Commanda first walked onto the uOttawa campus in 1987, as a student, going on to earn several degrees.
During her time as a student at uOttawa, Commanda also founded a First Nations student association to improve their representation on campus and also established an Indigenous resource centre, now called the Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre.
Listen to the full interview with Claudette Commanda below:
