The University of Winnipeg is pleased to share that Dr. Alex Wilson has been appointed to the role of Indigenous Academic Advisory Lead to the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic. She will also join the Faculty of Education as a Professor, and will work closely with the Office of Indigenous Engagement.
"I am thrilled that Dr. Wilson has joined The University of Winnipeg," said Dr. Pavlina Radia, Provost and Vice-President, Academic. "I am grateful for the wealth of expertise, mentorship, and Indigenous academic leadership Dr. Wilson brings to The University of Winnipeg. I look forward to her leadership and guidance."
In this role, Dr. Wilson will provide academic leadership and guidance, strengthen relationships and collaboration, and help centre Indigenous knowledges and perspectives across academic work. Grounded in community, expertise, and relationship-building, this work will also support Indigenous-centred and community-based research and contribute to the ongoing decolonization of academic programming and pedagogy.
From the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Dr. Wilson holds a BA (Psychology) from California State University, EdM (Human Development and Psychology: Psycho-social and Cultural Development) from Harvard University, and EdD (Human Development and Psychology) from Harvard University.
Dr. Wilson is widely recognized for her contributions to building and sharing knowledge about two-spirit identity, history and teachings, Indigenous research methodologies, and the prevention of violence in the lives of Indigenous people.
Dr. Wilson is an organizer with the Idle No More and One House Many Nations movement. She is particularly focused on educating about and protecting the Saskatchewan River Delta and supporting community-based food sovereignty efforts. She co-developed a Masters program in Indigenous land-based education at the University of Saskatchewan.
In 2022, Dr. Wilson received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. She was also recently recognized by the Legislature of Manitoba for her extensive work with Indigenous communities revitalizing Cree culture through land-based education. She's received many other awards, including the University of Saskatchewan Provost's Award in Aboriginal Education, the Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity's Affinity community service award, the USask Provost's Award for Community Outreach and Engagement, a Nellie Award, the Peter Corren Award, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher Award.
"The Office of Indigenous Engagement, and I personally, offer a warm welcome to Dr. Wilson upon her arrival at UWinnipeg," said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous. "We are eager to collaborate on important initiatives that will benefit UWinnipeg Indigenous faculty, students, and our community more broadly. So happy you're here, Alex!"
