Together we celebrate the achievements of you, the graduands seated before us. Congratulations.

I trust that what you have acquired here – knowledge in your chosen areas of study, the desire and ability to think critically and to learn continuously, and some dear friends – will serve you well as you take your places as leaders and contributors to society’s betterment here in Manitoba and around the world.

You embark on the next stage of your lives at a truly auspicious time.

I know everyone says that on occasions such as this one, but I think that this moment, your moment, here in this country at this time is as wide open for change as ever before, because over the past several years, we have faced some hard truths about ourselves and our history, as a nation.

And, now, we have tasked ourselves with moving forward. Together. Reconciled.

Whether you count yourselves among the recent global migrants to this country, as descendants of early settlers or later immigrants, new arrivals, or members of the Indigenous peoples, you assume your new roles of increased responsibility just as this country has an opportunity for a new beginning.

Next year Canada marks its 150th birthday. Over the same period, the University of Manitoba will reach its 140th anniversary. Causes for celebration, to be sure, and there will be plenty, here on this campus as we remember the achievements and highlights of the past 14 decades, and across the country as we pay tribute to a century and a half of nationhood.

But we need to think deeper. We need to learn from the experience and findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We need to be honest with ourselves.

Our nation’s origin story is false. It leaves out the foundational role of the First Nations peoples, the Métis, the Inuit. And their lasting contributions. It also conveniently leaves out the exploitation, duplicity and, ultimately, the cultural genocide that was perpetrated by colonizers upon Indigenous populations.

Those are serious faults upon which we cannot build a strong future.

We all – collectively – need to own that.

You all – as tomorrow’s artists, scholars, professionals – can lead the way in fixing it. We’ll have a much better nation if you do.

The same critical lens can be brought to a review of the history of this university.

As leaders in society, we might have stood up as an institution and spoken out against the Residential School system when there was still an opportunity to make a difference. We did not.

We might have lifted the pre-World War Two quota on Jewish medical students sooner. We might have made our physical spaces more accessible, our classrooms more inclusive. But we fell short.

Even with our many undeniable successes over the years –  educating Manitoba’s leaders and world game-changers, Canada’s first Chinese students, more Indigenous lawyers and social workers, teachers and engineers, than most Canadian universities – history, our history, records that all too often we failed.

We could have done better. This university can, I am proud to say, claim one particularly bright and reassuring story at its very foundation. Our first ever benefactor, Alexander Kennedy Isbister, a Métis lawyer and scholar of Cree and Scottish descent, who left $83,000 and more than 4,000 books to the University of Manitoba when he died in 1883, did so with one remarkably forward-thinking stipulation: that the money be used for scholarships and prizes for all who merited them, regardless of sex, race, creed, language or nationality.

May his act of generosity continue to inspire all of us who care about the future of this university, and in particular, you, graduands, as you build a better future for this province, this country, this world, and for yourselves. Let us learn from the lessons of the past, so that the next 140, 150 years bring dignity and prosperity to all. You are the ones who can make that happen.

There is an Indigenous way of understanding the responsibility of current generations towards future generations, from which we can all learn and benefit. It is the notion of seven generations stewardship, which originated with the Great Law of the Iroquois.

This beautiful teaching urges the current generation to think ahead seven generations as it makes important decisions.

I reference the seven generations teaching today from a place of humility and respect, and I encourage us all to learn more about the teaching from the Elders in our community who can explain it more authentically and thoroughly than I. But I think this teaching can guide us as we mark this milestone year in our nation’s and our university’s ongoing narratives.

And I ask that you all join me today in committing to making it a central purpose of the University of Manitoba’s anniversary year to understand, share and explore the truth of the seven generations teaching.

That way we can utilize the opportunity afforded by this anniversary to make a real difference.

We will share more with you about our 140th anniversary activities in the coming months, culminating in a central event on the University of Manitoba’s actual birthday on February 28, 2017. I hope you can join us.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking with Gord Downie. We have all been moved by the courage and selflessness he has shown as he faces what will likely be his last days.

At a time when he could understandably focus on his own fate, Gord has turned his attention to difficult issues at the very core of this nation, those stemming from a reluctance to open our eyes to the residual trauma and horrible inequities suffered by Indigenous peoples.

And in his quest to address these issues, he has cited the seven generations teaching, reminding Canadians of the Elders’ counsel that it will take seven generations to heal the deep wounds of the Residential Schools.

Today, I encourage you to contemplate the words Gord Downie stated so clearly and plainly from the stage of The Tragically Hip’s summer concert in Kingston, Ontario and in September when he donated the proceeds of his latest project to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation here at the University of Manitoba: “We are not the country we thought we were.”

Graduands, what a critical and perhaps imposing, and yet amazing, time to be coming into your own as educated and informed citizens of this country, of this planet.

Please, make this the country – make this the world – we think we are.

Two of these students are Jennifer Roulette and Warda Ahmed, and they both have remarkable stories of achieving success through overcoming significant roadblocks.

Warda Ahmed came to Canada in 2004. She was born in Somalia and raised in India, and knows very well the issues regarding immigration to Canada. Graduating this week from the Inner City Social Work program, she works at the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg with Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.

Warda has worked in the settlement sector of Winnipeg for the past eight years as a Settlement Worker and Life Skills Trainer serving the newcomer community in downtown Winnipeg. Fluent in four languages―English, Hindi, Urdu and Somali―she is a certified interpreter for the Canada Border Services Agency, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Ahmed explains that her path to graduation was not an easy one.

“After high school, because my mom couldn’t speak English and was unable to work, I became a primary breadwinner for my family,” says Ahmed. “This meant I couldn’t think of going to university unless I could continue working while studying at the same time. The Inner City program meant the world to me, as I studied subjects about which I am very interested, and the program offered class times and a schedule that allowed me to keep my full-time job.”con“I was able to share my struggles, experiences, strengths and dreams with my classmates, who helped motivate me to continue whenever I felt scared,” adds Ahmed.

Similarly, Jennifer Roulette has had some struggles in her life, but what is most important is that she’s very motivated and has been driving herself hard to achieve her goals.

A single mother of six children (two of whom are foster kids), Roulette has managed to complete her studies and courses towards her Bachelor of Social Work, and will be graduating this week.

“My own experience with social workers―some good and some bad―led me to make up my mind to go into social work so I could help others as well as myself,” she says. “It was a real eye-opener. Going through the program helped me make sense of how I got to where I am, from internalized racism to disenfranchisement within my family itself.”

Roulette had only a Grade 8 education before she dropped out of school as a teenager. She has struggled with abusive relationships, poverty and even homelessness in her life, and wants to ensure her kids have a much better chance of overcoming challenges they might face.

Today, she volunteers with the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre and is involved with the Mama Bear Clan, a community group that patrols the streets in Winnipeg’s Core. One night while on patrol, Roulette was called to assist those affected by a rooming house fire, only to learn that one of her own relatives died in the inferno.

Ahmed says many newcomers feel isolated and not included within our larger society.

This can be because of language barrier or cultural differences, but this becomes a major reason for many newcomers to feel not integrated in their new homes in Canada. They arrive with an urgent need for housing, but because of a lack of guarantors, long waiting lists, subsidized housing options or financial security, they often end up in difficult situations.

Regarding education, Ahmed says: “Newcomers often are faced with situations where their credentials from home countries are not recognized in Canada or they don’t have enough skills to be able to get through basic day-to-day life. Education is a huge need in the newcomer community as it helps immigrants get integrated and be able to achieve basic goals to live a good life in Canada. My own sister lost three years of her university education credentials and had to start things from scratch.”

Ahmed is a devoted Muslim, and since coming to Canada has been involved in education about human rights regarding immigrants and their faith. She has strong opinions about proposed legislation banning the wearing of niqabs, for example, and has advocated for Muslims’ civil rights. She is grateful for the opportunity to live and work in Canada.

“Training and graduating as a Social Worker has taught me values, skills and life lessons that I carry with me in daily life,” says Ahmed. “ I am humbled and extremely grateful that I can do the work I am passionate about, so I can serve people and also take care of my family’s needs.”

Both Ahmed and Roulette were taught by Eveline Milliken of the Faculty of Social Work. She speaks very highly of both students and says they were inspirations and role models.

“All students who overcome barriers to education are remarkable,” she says. “But when a student is the first in their family to graduate from university or displays particular courage, it really is a ‘win’ for all of us.”

Milliken says students like Roulette and Ahmed enrich the University of Manitoba experience for all, displaying a richness of different voices and bringing new perspectives not otherwise presented.

“A classroom at the U of M is a place where all are welcome, and these students represented that perspective very well. Everyone benefited by their presence,” she says.

On the last day of class, Roulette admitted that she experienced some anxiety. Not because of what was to come, but because she realized she had attained her original goal and now needed to set another one.

“I aim to be fully employed soon. Then I can purchase a home and be able to raise my kids in a better environment,” she says. “And I’m going to continue learning and educating myself.”

“I’m definitely going for master’s degree,” she adds, determinedly.

Each session will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

During Fall Convocation, honorary degrees for distinguished achievement will be awarded to:

Sandra Buhai Barz, who has made it her legacy to preserve and promote Inuit art, so future generations can not only learn the rich history of the Inuit people but be inspired by their traditions and passion.

• Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, 3:30 pm

Chief Wilton Littlechild, a Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, a Survivor of the Residential School System, and a father of three who believes in fostering forgiveness while educating Canadians of today and tomorrow.

• Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, 3:30 pm

Wayne G. Wouters, former Clerk of the Privy Council, the top public servant in Canada, who led institutional transformation, enhanced international relations, and who believes that service to our country should extend beyond any professional duty.

• Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, 3:30 pm

Each ceremony will be webcast at: umanitoba.ca/convocation/live

For more information, go to: umanitoba.ca/convocation

Volunteer roles include greeters at the doors who hand out programs and help people find their way to their seats, and ushers who also help people find a seat and act as safety representatives.

Staff members who have previously volunteered shared their views with UM Today.

“I love to do the ushering and help people that have mobility issues or just need a little hand,” said staff member Dianne Bulback. “For me, it’s talking to them and hearing, especially from the grandparents, how excited they are that their grandchild is graduating or might be the first in the family to go to university.”

This year, Fall Convocation runs from Oct. 18 – 20 and volunteers have the opportunity to share the enthusiasm.

“It’s a fun thing to do, particularly if students from your own faculty are convocating during your volunteer shift.  I too get to experience the excitement and pride the family and friends have when seeing their loved one cross the stage,” said Chris Cowan, another volunteer.

Who can help?        Any U of M staff or faculty member.

When?                       Oct. 18, 19 and 20 (one ceremony per day in the afternoon) visit Convocation Dates & Times for specific ceremony information.

For how long?         Shifts begin at 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon shifts and are 4-5 hours long. Accommodations are possible for those who cannot attend for the full shift length.

Do I have to take time off?   Participation in Convocation is paid work**, but you should discuss your plans to be away from your office with your supervisor

            **Please inform the Registrar’s Office of any concerns regarding overtime payment.

Find out more about usher responsibilities at Convocation Ushers.

Staff members said volunteering gives a sense of the lasting significance of Fall Convocation.

“To me, Convocation is important as the celebration of the achievement of our students, some of which I have worked with throughout their university degrees. It is important to me to see them obtain recognition for their hard work and the completion of their degree programs,” said Cecile Foster, who has been volunteering for five years and normally acts as a greeter.

“I always leave Convocation with a sense of pride in the university, a renewed sense of inspiration for my work, and a sense of the bigger picture of what we are all here working for, after all.  I enjoy working at convocation!” said Foster.

People interested in volunteering at Fall Convocation can email Gloria in the Registrar’s Office by Oct. 3 at gloria.saindon@umanitoba.ca.