Gwen Point had a thirst for learning from an early age. But like many Indigenous children, she faced barriers that made it difficult for her to thrive in the education system.

She persevered, never giving up on her dream. Success followed, but not without struggle. She earned her bachelor’s degree. And her master’s degree. And a doctorate. Eventually, she became Chancellor at the University of the Fraser Valley, where she had enrolled as an upgrading student decades earlier and later taught for several years.

In recognition of her achievements and the shining example she provides for Indigenous people, Gwen is receiving an honorary degree from UFV at its afternoon convocation ceremony at 2:30 pm on June 10.

Gwen could read by age 6. Health concerns had her confined inside while other children were out playing.  The school librarian knew to send books her way. And she eagerly awaited the arrival of the regional library bookmobile when it made regular visits to her home community of Sts’ailes, near Agassiz. Her love of reading gave her an edge.

“A lot of Indigenous students struggled with education because of cultural differences,” Gwen recalls. “We were raised in an oral tradition, the written word was introduced with the imposed education system.”

She enjoyed learning in her elementary years at the community school in Sts’ailes. But after her father passed away, life became very difficult for her mother and family. Gwen spent her Grade 8 year near Bellingham living with an aunt, and has fond memories of being popular there, and winning a number of awards in academics and sports. She also completed Grade 9 in Ferndale, Washington with again a positive education experience. When she returned to high school in Agassiz, her reception was not so positive. She faced discrimination and racism that drove her to drop out.

She put school on the back-burner for a few years. She met and married her husband Steven and moved to Skowkale First Nation. They were both determined to pursue an education.

“We both had a passion for learning, but as students and young parents, we struggled financially and barely making ends meet.”’

Gwen became a hairdresser to make ends meet while Steven continued into law school. But she held onto her dream of education. When her boss wouldn’t give her a raise, she quit on the spot and went down the road to Fraser Valley College to enroll in upgrading.

“Then Betty Urquhart, one of the instructors, told me I could graduate high school by writing my GED, so I did.”

She kept going, taking university-level courses and enrolling in UBC’s Indigenous education program, taking the first two years at FVC’s Chilliwack campus.

And then she came full circle, returning to teach at the community school on the Sts’ailes First Nation.

Along the way she balanced her studies with caring for her three children. Daughter Christine, now District Principal for Indigenous Education for the Fraser-Cascade School District, remembers playing at her mother’s feet under the table in the college classroom. Gwen would bring baby Áʼa:líya, now MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, to class in a traditional Stó:lō basket.

Gwen’s career progressed, always with the best interests of Indigenous children as her focus. She worked as an Indigenous Support Teacher in the Chilliwack School District, then Education Manager for Stó:lō Nation Government.

“The BC government said that school districts would have to consult with First Nations about how funds designated for Indigenous children were used,” she recalls. “I’d seen a lot of racism and discrimination, and I wanted to support First Nation students to be successful in the education system.”  She worked to create relationships between local First Nations and school districts that continue to support First Nation student success today.

Eventually, she returned to teaching, this time for the School of Social Work and the History department at UFV. She loved teaching at the university level, and continued part-time when her husband Steven became Lieutenant Governor of BC, making her Chatelaine of Government House.

And then UFV came calling, asking her to serve as Chancellor, a volunteer role as the ceremonial head of the university. The Chancellor presides over Convocation, and acts as a community ambassador.

It meant giving up teaching, but Gwen felt it was important to accept the offer. “I believe that Indigenous young people need to see one of their own in roles like this. It’s important to inspire them, and being seen in a role like Chancellor can do so without words, just by being in that space.”

As she accepts her honorary Doctor of Laws degree, she’ll be doing it for her whole community.

“I thank the University of the Fraser Valley for this honour. Our Elders share that, when you stand up one of us for praise and recognition, you are standing us all up. For me, that includes my family, my community and my Nation.”