Distinguished Academic Award Recipient 2017: Dr. Judy Thompson

This award recognizes the contributions to the non-academic community made by faculty members who are at an early point int heir careers. Edōsdi, which literally means someone who raises up pets andchildren, or more simply, “someone who is a teacher,” was born and raised inLa̱x Kxeen (Prince Rupert, BC) on Ts’msyen territory and is a member of theTahltan Nation. Her clan is crow and her crest is frog. For almost 25 years, as a student, educator and researcher, Edōsdi has builtrelationships with Aboriginal communities, which includes connections withyouth with their Elders. Edōsdi  has developed many courses and programs,which have often included ways to Indigenize curriculum, decolonize teaching,and provide support for Aboriginal learners.

Edōsdi / Dr. Thompson completed her PhD at the University of Victoria, where she also completed an MSc in Environmental Studies. Edōsdi’s doctoral dissertation, Hedekeyeh Hots’ih Kāhidi – “Our Ancestors Are In Us”: Strengthening Our Voices Through Language Revitalization From A Tahltan Worldview, employed a Tahltan research paradigm and spoke to the ways in which the voices of her people can gain strength and healing through the revitalization of her language. Dr. Thompson’s doctoral research guided the development of a Tahltan Language and Culture Framework, which focuses on governance, programming, documentation, and training and professional development. Since 2012, she has also been the Tahltan Language and Culture Lead for her Nation.

Commenting on the impact of her work, one of her nominees described Edōsdi as follows: “Edōsdiis a remarkable woman. A member of the Crow Clan of the Tahltan Nation, through her mother’s side, she was born and raised in Prince Rupert on Ts’mysenterritory. I got to know all of her family over the years, including herTahltan grandparents Charles and Julia Callbreath.  Edōsdi spent many hours with these wonderful elders and travelled with them several times Telegraph Creek where they were raised. The time she spent with these and otherelders gave her exceptional insights and experiences and, I am convinced, gaveher the determination and commitment to become the wonderful teacher andresearcher she is today. She also gained many of the traits and skills thatmake her so successful: integrity, thoughtfulness, compassion and empathy, anda delightful sense of humour.”