Brock University honors a Metis woman of spirit

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Suzanne Rochon Burnett wore the Metis sash and held the eagle feather in her right hand while she spoke at Brock University's fall convocation. It was also the occasion of receiving her own honorary doctor of letters degree.

The St. Catharines university chose the occasion to recognize Rochon Burnett for her support for Aboriginal art and her contribution to Canadian cultural life. The chancellor, Dr. Raymond Moriyama, presented her with the award at the university's 72nd convocation held Oct. 19.

"Merci. Meegwetch. Thank you," said Rochon Burnett as she accepted the honor.

When she addressed the assembly she said she has met challenges in her life and career with a belief that change is inevitable, but it presents a chance to grow. The "threads of the sash are strong and constant" she told the graduates. She advised them to see the sash as a symbol of the threads of learning that they received at Brock, which they will weave into their future. She reminded them of "the importance of keeping your hopes, your dreams and most of all, your passion, alive."

In the audience were her husband, daughter and grandson, and many friends and colleagues-among them Tony Belcourt, president of the Metis Nation of Ontario, and Roberta Jamieson, Chief of Six Nations.

They heard her advise the graduates that "investing in yourself is the best investment you can make. Nobody can take away what you have accumulated intellectually or what you have settled in your heart and in your soul. Those belong to you."

Rochon Burnett is president and CEO of R. B. Communications Limited, which owns and operates Spirit 91.7 FM ("the Spirit of Niagara") radio station in Welland. She purchased the radio station in 1995 and won an FM licence for it in 1997. She is the first Metis woman licensed by the CRTC to operate a private radio station in Canada, and she is the first Aboriginal to receive two commercial radio frequencies.

In the mid-1990s, she also set up her own Native art consulting company, Kakekalnicks Incorporated. A resident of Welland since 1994, Rochon Burnett has lived in the Niagara Region more than 30 years.

Born in Ste. Adele, Que., she began her broadcasting career at a nearby radio station after leaving school in the 1950s. Success as a broadcaster and a freelance journalist led to work in New York, Paris and Montreal. In the 1970s, she often was a guest on CBC's Morningside program.

Rochon Burnett is a woman who has made a difference through her work in broadcasting and the arts, and her commitment to her community. She thanks her mother and grandmother for being strong role models. She is proud of her Metis heritage and has worked hard to promote Aboriginal interests.

She has been a member of many boards. As a result of her work on its board, TV Ontario adopted its "Relationship with Aboriginal People of Ontario" policy. It also established an Aboriginal consultative committee.

Rochon Burnett has been a member of the Canada Council for the Arts since 1998. This year, Sheila Copps, minister of Canadian Heritage, spoke of her contribution to the Canada Council.

"Her commitment to the integration and equality of visible minorities in the arts in Canada has largely influenced the orientation taken by the council in the promotion of racial equality in the arts."

Rochon Burnett is also on the board of governors of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the board of directors of the Metis Nation of Ontario's cultural commission.

Rochon Burnett has a strong commitment to her family and her heritage. She told the university audience how her grandmother had faced challenges as a young widow with many children to support in the early years of the 20th century. She supported the family by designing women's hats, which she sold in Montreal, Quebec City and New York.

Rochon Burnett's own "first job" was working for her mother, collecting and delivering sweaters knit by the women in their village. She said both her mothe and grandmother gave her the desire to grow and learn that remains with her today. Now she is passing that along to the next generation. Rochon Burnett is especially proud to be working with her daughter, Michelle-Elise, at Spirit 91.7 FM.

"It touched so many nerves. I could really relate to what she was saying," said Karen Bubish of Beamsville, who commented on Rochon Burnett's tribute to her mother and grandmother.

Rochon Burnett has been involved with Brock since 1991. She has served two terms on the board of directors and is a member of the dean's advisory council for the faculty of business.

Since the 1970s, Rochon Burnett has encouraged Aboriginal people to look at broadcasting as a career. In 1996, she established a scholarship fund for Aboriginal students in communications and business at Brock. She also supports the university's adult education program for Aboriginal students. She told the audience that in 1967 there were only 63 post-secondary Aboriginal students in all of Canada. Brock now has a reputation of being one of the better schools for meeting their needs. In August 1999, 54 students at Brock identified themselves as Aboriginal. In 2002, there are more than 400.

In 1998, Rochon Burnett was awarded the eagle feather. She was named to the Order of Canada this year and is a member of the Order of Ontario. She has received many other awards, including the Governor General's Confederation Medal; the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal; a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the arts and culture category; the Royal Bank Business Initiative of the Year Award; and the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship.