AFN Chief Shawn Atleo receives honourary award from BCIT

Photo caption: Shawn Atleo, Assembly of First Nations national chief, addresses graduates at the BCIT convocation ceremony on Feb. 16.

On Feb. 16, the British Columbia Institute of Technology bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Technology on Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo. “BCIT is honored to be able to recognize Mr. Atleo – a person who clearly sees the value in education and the power it can have in changing lives,” said Don Wright, president of BCIT. Atleo was the keynote speaker at convocation, with 300 of 400 graduates in attendance. “I am honoured to be part of the celebration of accomplishments of this year’s graduates,” he said. “Education is key to unlocking potential, and BCIT’s efforts in making education more accessible to First Nation students helps build on our broad efforts in supporting education opportunities for First Nations – an economic imperative for the future of our peoples and all of Canada.”