Douglas distinguished alumni award
goes to Indigenous educator

> Alumni wrote paper now used as handbook at Douglas

Jake Wray
News Editor

 

my Parent, an assistant professor of

Indigenous education at SFU, was
presented with the Douglas College 2018
Distinguished Alumni award June 13.

Parent studied at Douglas in the
early 2000s, according to a Douglas
College press release, and has worked
to reduce barriers faced by prospective
and current Indigenous students
at post-secondary institutions.

Dave Seaweed, aboriginal student
services co-ordinator at Douglas
College, said in the press release that
Parent struggled when she began
her post-secondary education.

“Amy was a young person coming
from a small community and was
struggling to find an identity. In her
first semester, she took three courses
and ended with three withdrawals,”
he said in the release. “With support
from her community and Douglas
College, she decided to give post-
secondary another try. She created
lasting bonds with other Aboriginal
students, and together they formed a
strong support group who embraced
their cultures while focusing on ways to
succeed in their academic pursuits.”

After finding her feet at Douglas,
Parent went on to earn a bachelor’s
degree at SFU, as well as a master’s
degree and a PhD at UBC.

Dr. Mique'l Dangeli, adjunct
professor at the University of
Northern British Columbia, said in
the press release that Parent’s research
and community work has been
tremendously beneficial to students.

“She has a tremendous ability
to ‘demystify’ the systems within the
university that impede the success of
Indigenous students at every level,”
Dangeli said in the release. “Her ground-
breaking research offers methods
for high schools and universities to
restructure their programs to be more
supportive of First Nations students.”

An undergraduate paper written
by Parent, called Heart, Mind, Body,
and Spirit: An Aboriginal Survival
Guide to University, has been available
since 2007 at Douglas College to
guide new Indigenous students.

“] feel it is important to be a mentor
myself by showing Indigenous learners
at Douglas that they can do what I have
done, to break stereotypes about what it
means to be a professor and have a PhD,”
Parent said in the release. “My time at
Douglas allowed me to meet great friends,

Douglas athletic
director receives
national award

> Director recognized for impressive record

Colten Kamlade
Staff Reporter

 

he title of Athletic Director of the Year,

awarded by the Canadian Collegiate
Athletic Association (CCAA), has rarely
been bestowed upon members of the
Pacific Western Athletic Association
(PACWEST). This year, Brian McLennon
of Douglas College became the most
recent director to receive this honour.

According to the CCAA website, part
of the reason he was chosen was due to his
impressive record on the court and field.

“McLennon’s guidance and leadership
featured a highly skilled group of student
athletes who excelled at the national level
throughout the 2017-18 season,” stated
the website. “The Royals were crowned
champions in the men’s event at the 2018
CCAA / Curling Canada Championships.
In addition, Douglas earned CCAA
silver medals in Men’s Soccer, Women’s
Volleyball and Men’s Basketball. After
capturing four provincial gold medals
this season, Douglas also earned the
PACWEST Aggregate Championship
Trophy for the first time in 10 years.”

It’s not just his athletic record that is

impressive. McLennon has been involved

in the Douglas College community

in many other ways. For instance, he

was an integral part of “Make Some

Noise for Mental Health,” the goal

of which was to raise awareness for

mental health issues that many people

struggle with. Moreover, McLennon

has also encouraged events such as

“Miles for Mental Health” and “Walk

a Mile in Her Shoes.” The latter is

described on their website as the “the

international men’s march to stop rape,

sexual assault, and gender violence.”

According to the CCAA website,

McLennon is far more than just an

athletic director, but a vital part of

the Douglas College community.
“McLennon, who is also a Royals

Athletics Alumni (Men’s Basketball,

1999-2001), understands the challenges

and stress associated with balancing

varsity athletic commitment and studies,

which results in him demonstrating great

empathy and support for student-athletes.

He is also constantly striving to create
and foster an inclusive, accountable,
successful environment for all staff and
student-athletes and more broadly across

mentors and colleagues—people who
inspired me. I learned a lot about how

to challenge colonial institutions that
continue to perpetuate ongoing forms

of systemic violence onto Indigenous
learners. By sharing my story, others can
learn that you don't have to be perfect and

 

that sometimes our biggest challenges

can shape who we are in positive ways.”
Parent has guest lectured

at Douglas College many times

since she was a student here,

according to the press release.

It's humbling and emotional.” Brian McLennon,
Douglas College athletic director

Photo of Dr. Amy Parent via SFU

 

the institution,” stated the website.
McLennon told the Douglas
College blog how he felt about
having received the award.
“It’s humbling and emotional. I
always dreamed of being an athletic
director, even as far back as high school,

 

but getting this sort of recognition isn’t
something I set out to do. I'd rather the
award was for the athletic department
of the year, because this success isn’t
mine alone, it belongs to everyone

who worked to get us to where we are,”
said McLennon in the blog post.

Photo of Brian McLennon via Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association