Personal Reflections on the Power of Educationsen.parl.gc.ca/ldyck/html/eng/DKG speech.pdf ·...
Transcript of Personal Reflections on the Power of Educationsen.parl.gc.ca/ldyck/html/eng/DKG speech.pdf ·...
Personal Reflections on the
Power of Education
Hon. Lillian Eva (Quan) Dyck, PhD, DLitt
Saskatchewan Senator
www.sen.parl.gc.ca/ldyck/
DKG Society International
NW Regional Conference July 31-2015
Why did I go to university?
Right time, lucky to be smart
No choice – needed to support myself!
Not for an “Mrs”
University education leads to higher salary
and a more satisfying job.
And an analytical mind!
B.A. Chem, 1966
Year off – unsure
B.A. Honors Biochem, 1968
M.Sc., Biochem, 1970
Marriage, son, working
PhD, Biological Psiat, 1981
Gr 12 Graduation, 1963 Senate of Canada, 2005
Photos removed
What’s changed (on the UofS
campus) since 1963?
1963:
~0 Aboriginals
UG women a minority
Overt sexism, racism
SEM female faculty rare
2015:
~2000 Aboriginals
UG women the majority
Subtle sexism, racism
Still under-represented
1963 2015
Date rape
Sexism accepted
(Lady Godiva ride OK)
(rape chants OK)
(sexist jokes OK)
(sexual imagery low)
Date rape drugs
Not acceptable
(no longer occurs)
(rape chant decried)
(sexist jokes ??)
(sexual imagery
common – games,
videos, movies)
35 Women face denial of sexual
abuse – they are Leaders.
Struggles lead to Leadership
Women are natural leaders.
As Life Givers, we nurture and protect
our children. This extends to our families,
our friends, our coworkers and
communities.
Female Leadership
Chief Leslee White-eye: July 29-2015
“We are all leaders as women, no matter
what our culture or background. Now I have
stage to be doing what I’m supposed to be
doing and to bring awareness around
women’s issues and responsibilities.”
“I don’t see this as a role of authority and
power. I see it as a role of service.”
Taking leadership as a Woman
scientist
Dealing with porno files on a lab
computer:
Reporting it
Being told ‘we can’t do anything’!
Deleting them anyways!
Calling in IT to give a talk
My story: from waitress to scientist to
senator
Despite the odds (the obstacles):
- being ashamed of being Indian
- being picked on as a Chinese girl
- moving from small town to small town
- in rural SK and AB
- being poor, being shy
- mother died when I was in gr 5.
- father died when I was in gr 12.
Despite being undervalued as a
Professor and unbelievable
harassment,
I became a Full Professor
an Associate Dean, CGSR
and a Senator
Campus Security
Hitting Rock Bottom
lead to Finding Inner Power
Mid-1990’s
Divorce
Isolation and Bullying at work
Walking home – crying
My mother’s spirit came to me. My Cree Indian mother overcame her barriers. I’d be
damned if I let some man push me out of my job simply
because I’m a woman!
Finding my Brand – my Label
The Go-To Person for equity issues
Savor the Rewards
The unexpected thank you’s
Knowing you’ve made a positive
difference in someone’s life.
Savor your succeses:
my proudest moments as a
scientist
Saying “NO” to joining Alviva
Runner-up – my 1st sole author paper
2005 - Summoned to the Senate
Why me?
Because I was a highly educated.
Because I’m an Aboriginal female.
Because I had a public profile.
Because I did public work that I was told
not to do! Speaking about equity
issues, discrimination, WIS, Aboriginals.
“Dare to be Brave” (2002 book chapter)
Taking leadership as a racialized woman:
a Warrior Woman
Advocating for an inquiry into MMIWG.
Advocating for closing the gap in the
education of Aboriginals.
Speaking in the senate on bills affecting
FNs
Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik
Women walking Together
Photo removed
Savor your Successes:
my proudest moments as a senator
...
Runner-up – with two MPs, convincing the
Liberal leader to back a national inquiry into
MMAWG.
The Skunk teaches us valuable lessons
Some days you have to create a stink to earn respect!
SK Elders: Education is Our Buffalo.
Paskwa mooswa kis-kinawa mah-sowin
L’ éducation est notre bison.