University College of the North celebrates 20 years in operation on July 1, 2024.
As part of the celebration, three UCN professors, Dr. Keith Hyde, Dr. Greg Stott, and Dr. Hendrik Warnar-Brown are writing a book about UCN's history and its significance in northern Manitoba.
"Over the course of decades, many Indigenous and northern Manitobans advocated for the creation of an independent degree-granting institution to be located in the north," said Dr. Hyde.
The history of UCN book project is in the early stages of development. Research ethics applications, funding applications, and publisher identification are forthcoming.
"Stories about the creation of UCN are incredibly valuable, and we want to ensure that those experiences are documented before that history is lost," noted Dr. Stott.
Dr. Warnar-Brown agreed, saying that "capturing UCN's journey from a passionately held and long-sought-after idea into a bricks-and-mortar institution is a significant contribution to the history of northern Manitoba."
UCN will contribute to the project's funding, including funding for research-related travel, transcription services, and other related costs. UCN notes that this is a fully independent academic project that will be overseen by the researchers at every stage of development.
"The decades-long pursuit of an institution that offered degree programming as well as college-level programming culminated on July 1st, 2004 when the University College of the North Act was proclaimed," said Doug Lauvstad, UCN's President and Vice-Chancellor. "The importance of having an institution of higher education in the north, for the north cannot be understated. Ensuring that future generations understand this history and have access to information about the north, its peoples, languages and culture helps to achieve UCN's mandate. It recognizes the hard work of many people who dedicated themselves to ensuring that Indigenous and northern Manitobans have access to higher learning in the north."
The book project is just beginning and is expected to come to fruition over several years.
About the Lead Researchers
Dr. J. Keith Hyde serves as an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts, Business, and Science, teaching courses in English literature, history, and religious studies at University of the North, The Pas, MB, since 2011. He is grateful to live and work on the traditional territories of the Muskegowuk Inninnowuk (Swampy Cree), who signed Treaty #5 in 1876. Keith is a settler scholar who grew up in The Pas and is a third-generation educator. After completing a B.A. Honours degree in English literature (U of Winnipeg), he embarked on a master's degree in religious studies (Regent College, UBC), and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. His current research involves transcribing the journal writings of the Rev. Henry Budd, Sr. [ca. 1812-1875], founder of the Devon Mission (The Pas/ OCN), and one of North America's first Indigenous ordained Anglican priests.
Dr. Greg Stott A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Greg Stott obtained his PhD in History at McMaster University in 2004. Having taught at various institutions in Ontario and British Columbia, he arrived at UCN in 2010 and is an associate professor. With a focus on community and social history, he has published in various scholarly journals and books on local history.
Dr. Hendrik Warnar-Brown is an assistant professor with the Faculty of Arts, Business, and Science at University College of the North (UCN), teaching from the Thompson campus in northern Manitoba. Recently completing a Ph.D. in Canadian Studies at Trent University's School for the Study of Canada, his dissertation is entitled Aboriginal Adult Education and Training: The History of Hydro Development in Manitoba and the Establishment of Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.' Henk has been an educator in northern Manitoba for almost fifteen years, initially teaching middle-year and mature students at Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in Nelson House, then transitioning to Thompson, teaching history at UCN eight years ago. Henk is a trustee with the School District of Mystery Lake in Thompson and serves as the board's Chair. Henk completed his MA in History at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and graduated there with his HBA and a degree in teaching.
