Moose Factory, ON, March 6, 2020 – Moose Cree First Nation is proud to announce that Dr. Emily J. Faries, a member of Moose Cree First Nation, has been granted the prestigious title “Professor Emeritus” from Laurentian University of Sudbury.
Her professor emeritus status reflects her excellence in teaching at the university level and the sharing of her knowledge and expertise in indigenous studies, namely in First Nations matters such as treaty rights, inherent right, governance matters, culture and tradition, and the significance of education jurisdiction. Dr. Faries’ crucial role in teaching upper year courses involving analytical and critical thinking skills are especially acknowledged in areas of foundations and implications of indigenous nationhood, impacts of Canadian law and politics impacting indigenous people, treaty rights in education, significance of our inherent right to govern ourselves, and how all these matters fit into our historical journey as indigenous people as we move on to the future.
Dr. Faries was a professor for 24 years and retired in 2019. She was instrumental in the community-based university program which was a partnership between the university and Mushkegowuk Council. This program brought education to the people so that students did not have to uproot and leave home for university education; Dr. Faries taught the courses in the Mushkegowuk communities. Throughout her teaching career, she has touched the lives of thousands of students, both indigenous and non-indigenous, which has resulted in advocacy and reconciliation as well as the empowerment and healing among the students.
In her life, Dr. Faries completed four university degrees, the last one being a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1991. She has been a role model and an inspiration for our people especially the young people who will carry on the fight for our rights as First Nations people.
Moose Cree First Nation would like to congratulate Dr. Faries on her many achievements throughout her successful career.