TORONTO – Indspire, the largest non-governmental funder of Indigenous education in Canada, is pleased to announce that the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) has awarded Indspire’s President and CEO Roberta L. Jamieson with the David C. Smith Award, which honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to higher education. Jamieson received the award at a ceremony in Toronto last night.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors for Indspire, I offer Roberta my sincere congratulations on receiving this prestigious award,” said David Gabriel Tuccaro, Indspire’s Board Chair. “Her commitment to education has helped enlarge the horizon of opportunity for Indigenous youth in this country.”
The COU recognized Jamieson for her outstanding advocacy in support of Indigenous education in Canada, and her dedication to improving access and increasing career success of Indigenous learners.
“Roberta has been a transformative force for Aboriginal education in Canada, and it was an honour for the Council of Ontario Universities to present her with this award,” said COU President and CEO Bonnie M. Patterson. “Through her extraordinary efforts and perseverance, Roberta has greatly increased the financial support available to Aboriginal learners, and continues to have a profound impact on their success.”
The David C. Smith Award was established in 2000 and named to celebrate the late Dr. David C. Smith, who contributed to both scholarship and public policy in higher education as Principal of Queen’s University and in advisory work on behalf of the sector. Past Award recipients include: the Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, former Prime Minister of Canada; Dalton McGuinty, former Premier of Ontario; and Dr. Martha Piper, former President of the University of British Columbia.
“Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, and I am encouraged by the support we receive from individuals, organizations and corporations so that Indspire can provide bursaries to First Nation, Inuit, and Métis post-secondary students for their education and training,” said Jamieson. “As well, I am grateful to our partners in education, like the Council of Ontario Universities, who share that vision of Indigenous student success, and I thank the Council for this honour.”
