Earl Cook. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Dumont Institute.
An educator from Cumberland House, who has spent four decades helping create educational opportunities for Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan, will be receiving an honorary doctorate this spring from the University of Saskatchewan.
Earl Cook has been involved as an instructor and an administrator for a number of northern education and training programs, which includes the Northern Teacher Education Program, and is considered by many as a leading expert in Aboriginal culture and languages.
Cook’s passion for education began 40 years ago at the U of S when he earned a Bachelor of Education and a postgraduate diploma. He also was an advocate for the creation of a Department of Indigenous Studies, lobbying the university for the department, which was founded at the U of S in 1983.
U of S president Peter Stoicheff calls Cook a tireless worker and a champion for Indigenous communities.
“His devotion to the promotion of education and training programs, Indigenous language retention and preservation is an inspiration for others,” said Stoicheff. “His lifetime of achievement is a great example for all of us to follow as we build on our own commitment to Indigenous student success at the University of Saskatchewan.”
Along with being a huge proponent of education, Cook was also the regional director of health in northern Saskatchewan with the province, Northern Health strategy coordinator, manager of the Northern Industrial Career Centre in La Ronge, with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and Indian and Métis education consultant with the Northern Lights School Division.
Cook will be one of six honorary degree recipients at this year’s U of S Spring Convocation, from June 5-8 at TCU Place. He will be honoured during the 2 p.m. ceremony on June 7.