The Honorable Steven Point to receive an honorary doctorate degree from CapU

NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. – The Honorable Steven Point, a provincial court judge, former lieutenant governor of B.C. and an advocate for Aboriginal rights, will receive an honorary doctor of laws from Capilano University at convocation on June 6, 2017.

Point served as an elected chief of the Skowkale First Nation in Chilliwack, B.C. at the age of 23. He completed a law degree and worked for the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. 

In 1991, Point became director of the First Nations Legal Studies program at the UBC Faculty of Law. From 1994 to 1999, he was tribal chair of the Stó:lō Nation and grand chief of the Stó:lō Tribal Council. He was appointed a provincial court judge in 1999. 

In 2005, Point was appointed chief commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission. He was named the province’s 28th lieutenant governor in 2007. In that role, he took a special interest in inspiring young people to pursue their aspirations. In 2014, he was reappointed provincial court judge, a role he holds to this day. 

Point has an outstanding record of service to the people of British Columbia. He has advocated for First Nations people throughout his career, pressing for greater recognition of their contributions and their broader involvement in all aspects of life in B.C. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and the Order of British Columbia. In 2000, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Fraser Valley and in 2016, he received the Order of Chilliwack. 

“Ts’itholetstel – I thank you, and I accept the honorary doctor of laws from Capilano University. It is special to me to have a direct connection to our Stó:lō neighbours as the University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people,” says Point. “I also thank you for acknowledging that your campuses are located on the territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, Lil’wat and Sechelt (shíshálh) Nations. Education has a key role in the future of our country and especially our native people.”

“Capilano University is proud to recognize Steven Point as a 2017 honorary doctorate degree recipient who exemplifies our commitment to Aboriginal student success and service to communities,” says Paul Dangerfield, Capilano University’s president. 

About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 99 programs, including bachelor’s degrees in areas as diverse as film, jazz, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University enrols approximately 10,500 students each year, 8,200 in for-credit programs and 2,300 in non-credit courses. Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. Our campuses are located on the territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh), Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact: 

Cheryl Rossi
Senior Communications Advisor
Capilano University
t: 604 983 7596
c: 778 879 7119
e: cherylrossi@capilanou.ca 
www.capilanou.ca