SUDBURY – University of Sudbury announced the appointment of five new members to its board of regents, including two Island residents. The new appointments are: Dominic Beaudry of Wiikwemkoong, Ms. Joanne Bénard, Mr. Edmond Paquette, Ms. Janique Perrin and Dr. Tim Vine of Little Current.
“It is with excitement that we welcome these new individuals to our Board of Regents,” states Dr. John Meehan SJ, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sudbury in a release announcing the appointments. “They are great additions to the team, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge from impressive backgrounds with links to our identity and mission.”
“We look forward to working with these new leaders to serve our community well,” said Pierre Riopel, chair of the University of Sudbury Board of Regents, “but the occasion is not void of sadness as we say goodbye to some seasoned board members. We are very grateful for their dedication, invaluable time and efforts and wish them all the best in their next endeavors.”
The outgoing members are Donald Obonsawin, Paul Marleau, Linda Wilson, Lucien Pelletier, Jacob Lessard and vice chair Elyse Clements.
Mr. Beaudry has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Indigenous Studies from Trent University, a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Socio-economic History with a focus on Indigenous Education from the University of Toronto. He has vast experience in education, having taught at various levels including junior, intermediate and senior teaching positions with Ontario school boards. Mr. Beaudry was also a school principal and is possibly most familiar to Island residents as the former education director with the Wikwemikong Board of Education. After leaving Wiikwemkoong, he went on to become a professor of Indigenous Studies at Seneca College in Toronto. He is currently a teacher and Anishinaabe language facilitator with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Mr. Beaudry has been a member of both Laurentian University and Cambrian College board of governors and has chaired various committees.
“I’m very excited to join the University of Sudbury Board of Regents,” said Mr. Beaudry. “I will advocate for Indigenous inclusion and effective programming.”
Mr. Beaudry notes that data from the 2016 Statistics Canada survey indicates the Indigenous population in the Sudbury district is 17.5 percent. “I think it’s great that the U of S has board of regents will represent Indigenous people at the board level,” he said.
Dr. Vine has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Huron University College, a Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Western Ontario, a PhD in Political Science from University of Western Ontario and is currently completing a Masters of Business Administration (CPA Stream) from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University. With an in-depth knowledge of operations and finance, he is currently the vice-president of Corporate Support Services and CFO of Manitoulin Health Centre, and was previously director of finance and treasurer at the City of Elliot Lake, director of operations and finance at Area One Farms, among other positions. Community-minded, Dr. Vine has been a member of several boards, including those of the John Brown Heritage Foundation, Manitoulin Legal Aid, Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank and more. He has also written a number of publications on multiculturalism, politics and a variety of other topics.
“I’m very pleased to join the board of regents of University of Sudbury,” said Dr. Vine. “I greatly value the education offered by small liberal arts schools, not just for the critical thinking skills they foster in their students, but also, appreciation for community that comes from learning on a smaller campus. These are values I have seen firsthand, having done my undergraduate degree at a similar small university.”
“In my discussions with the University of Sudbury’s president, John Meehan, I was pleased to learn of the university’s connection with Manitoulin Island, in particular with Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory,” said Dr. Vine. “Father John and I discussed many of the historical connections, as well as possible new links to the Island and many communities here.”
“With my background in healthcare, Indigenous relations and from my own personal faith perspective, I am excited about the programs U of S offers, including one of Ontario’s first Indigenous Studies programs and their programming around bioethics,” he continued. “I hope to be an ambassador for U of S in the communities of Algoma Manitoulin, but also bring feedback from the communities back to the university. People should feel free to reach out to me with anything they feel I should bring to the board’s attention. My email is timvine.am@gmail.com.”
