Ellen R. White (c. 1922 – 2018[2]) of the Snuneymuxw First Nation is a Canadian aboriginal elder, author, and academic who has been recognized with a national Order of Canada and provincial Order of British Columbia.[3][4]
Ellen White | |
|---|---|
Kwulasulwut | |
| Snuneymuxw leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ellen Rice c. 1922 |
| Died | 2018 (aged 95–96) Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
| Spouse | Doug White |
| Children | 1 |
| Nickname | Nanaimo's Auntie Ellen[1] |
As a young girl, Ellen trained as a midwife, assisting at births when she was just 9 years old, and delivering children by age 16.[5]
After growing up on Vancouver Island, she moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia after marrying Doug White. She then raised her children in the Nanaimo First Nation.[5]
After 30 years as a lecturer and storyteller at University of British Columbia, White was instrumental in establishing the First Nations Studies program at Vancouver Island University (then Malaspina College) in 1994, and spent 13 years there as an Elder-in-Residence.[1] Known as "Auntie Ellen" to students, staff, and faculty, White received an Honorary Doctorate from VIU in 2006 for her years of dedication to education and community service.[6] The Kwulasulwut Garden located at VIU's Nanaimo campus is dedicated to Dr. Ellen White using her Coast Salish name Kwulasulwut, meaning "many stars". The garden includes a totem pole by Coast Salish artist Jane Marston.[7]
Ellen White is the grandmother of Snuneymuxw Chief Douglas White III.[1]
Recognitions
edit- 2006 – Honorary Doctorate, Vancouver Island University
- 2007 – B.C. Community Achievement Award[1]
- 2011 – Order of British Columbia (BC)
- 2016 – Order of Canada
Publications
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Nanaimo's 'Auntie Ellen' receives Order of B.C." Nanaimo News Bulletin. September 6, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Dickson, Louise (August 9, 2018). "Obituary: First Nations elder Ellen White put focus on education". Times Colonist. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Ellen White Invested into the Order of Canada". gg.ca. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ "Snuneymuxw Elder Ellen White appointed to Order of Canada". nanaimonewsNOW. December 31, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "WHITE, Ellen R. Aboriginal Author". ABCBookWorld. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ ""Auntie Ellen" Appointed to the Order of Canada | News | VIU". news.viu.ca. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ "VIU Self Guided Campus Visit" (PDF). Vancouver Island University. Retrieved June 19, 2018.