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OCAD University

Dr. Marie Wilson addresses reconciliation at OCAD U’s President’s Speaker Series

November 9, 2018
l-r: Dr. Sara Diamond, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Dr. Marie Wilson,MPP Chris Glover and Dr. Bob Phillips
l-r: Dr. Sara Diamond, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Dr. Marie Wilson,MPP Chris Glover and Dr. Bob Phillips

Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University, welcomed Dr. Marie Wilson as the first keynote speaker in the 2018-2019 President’s Speaker Series. Dr. Diamond also greeted special guest, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, in front of a packed auditorium. 

An award-winning journalist and Commissioner of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), Dr. Wilson discussed the lessons learned from the TRC and how Canadians can chart a way forward in the context of reconciliation.

Dr. Wilson described the enormity of the trauma inflicted on Canada’s Indigenous population and mentioned that Canada is a very long way from what it needs to achieve when it comes to reconciliation. She commended Dr. Diamond and OCAD University for its commitment to Indigenous learning.

A member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC-Radio-Canada) and the Rideau Hall Foundation, Dr. Wilson is a prominent public speaker throughout Canada and internationally she brings acknowledged expertise on the successes and challenges of advancing reconciliation. She holds honorary degrees from six Canadian universities, and in addition to several professional awards, is the recipient of the Order of the Northwest Territories, the Order of Canada, and the Meritorious Service Cross.