Percy Henry to receive Honorary Diploma from Yukon College

April 25, 2013

DAWSON CITY – Percy Henry, a former Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief and respected elder, will receive an honorary diploma from Yukon College this evening.

The diploma will be presented at the end of year graduating ceremony for students in the Foundation Year program at the School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City.

Eighty-five-year-old Henry is currently a Language Master for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Heritage Department working to preserve the Hän language and history. While Chief of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in from 1968 to 1974 Henry was instrumental in initiating the land claims process and was one of the Yukon Chiefs who traveled to Ottawa in 1973 to present Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.

The honorary diploma in Northern Studies is being awarded to Henry in recognition for his positive impact on his community and his significant contribution to northern studies through his commitment to sharing his knowledge of his people, culture and language.

“Percy Henry has inspired, mentored and taught many people throughout Yukon,” said Dr. Deb Bartlette, dean of Applied Arts and interim associate vice president Academic at Yukon College.

“Yukon College is pleased to acknowledge Percy Henry’s lifelong work in keeping alive his First Nations’ traditions, language and culture, as these are a vital part of education in Yukon.”

15 SOVA students will also cross the stage this evening. Five graduates will be continuing their 2nd year studies at NSCAD University in Halifax, Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, and OCAD University in Toronto.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation is a founding partner of SOVA along with the Dawson City Arts Society and Yukon College. The three partners will be renewing their partnership agreement at the ceremony tonight.

The ceremony takes place at 8:00 p.m. this evening at the KIAC Ballroom, which is upstairs at the Odd Fellows Hall, Second Avenue in Dawson City, Yukon.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca