One of UBC Okanagan’s premier community engagement events—the Distinguished Speaker Series (DSS)—provides a platform for global leaders who have achieved excellence in their field to share their insight and experience with our community.

UBC is committed to the advancement of Indigenous peoples’ human rights. The Indigenous Strategic Plan outlines the specific goals and actions the university will collectively undertake to support this commitment. Our university is also dedicated to climate action—our Climate Action Plan provides a bold strategy to address the many consequences of climate change.

In support of these commitments, it is crucial to facilitate open public dialogue that encourages change.

Our next speaker in the DSS, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, will address these same themes in her talk Re-Imagining a New Way Forward with Intention. In this discussion, Watt-Cloutier will share her experience and insight on the realities of the Arctic—discussing the challenges Inuit face, with a focus on solutions. She will discuss the interconnectedness of environment, economy, foreign policy, health and human rights and their effects on the future of our planet.

UBC Okanagan and the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are honoured to host Watt-Cloutier, an environmental, cultural and human rights advocate. She is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, an Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of many other awards and honours for her advocacy work— including the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award.

Following the talk, there will be an interactive Q&A session where attendees can submit questions for Watt-Cloutier to address on stage.

Re-imagining a New Way Forward with Intention—An evening with Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Date: Thursday, October 27
Time: 7:00pm PST
Location: Kelowna Community Theatre

For free tickets, visit: fass.ok.ubc.ca/about/community-engagement/distinguished-speaker-series