Cloy-e-iis, Dr. Judith Sayers, a prominent local Indigenous leader, sustainable development advocate and passionate educator was named Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) third chancellor on October 24, 2020.
Sayers is President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council – a non-profit society that provides a wide variety of services and supports to 14 nations with about 10,000 members – and holds business and law degrees, as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws, from Queen’s University. She practiced law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, working in international forums and lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title.
“One of the reasons I am attracted to VIU and to this position is how closely the University has worked with the Snuneymuxw First Nation and other Nations,” says Sayers. “I would like to see those kinds of partnerships continue to grow and flourish.”
For many years, Sayers focused on self-determination and capacity-building within Nations. As Chief of her Nation – Hupacasath First Nation – for 14 years, she was instrumental in the development of a run-of-river project that boosted economic growth, a woodlot that operated with high environmental standards and eco-tourism canoe tours. She also secured both a land use plan and cedar use strategy to bring more certainty for the rights of the Hupacasath. As President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council since 2017, she has taken on a similar advocacy role.
“A lot of my life has been spent in advocacy, fighting on the front lines for many different causes,” says Sayers. “Higher education is my next area of focus. I’d like to take on a major role in promoting innovative ideas and better understanding through education."
For her many accomplishments, Sayers became a member of the Order of Canada in 2019, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Clean Energy BC and was named to Canada’s 2016 Clean50 for being an outstanding contributor to clean capitalism. She has been a finalist for the Buffett award for Indigenous leadership and was twice awarded the Woman of Distinction from the Alberni Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business inducted Sayers into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame.
Read more about Chancellor Sayers and her vision
Role of the Chancellor
Serving in a volunteer capacity, the chancellor acts as an ambassador for and a champion of the University. The chancellor is the titular head of the university, presiding over convocation ceremonies, conferring degrees and providing advice to the president. The chancellor is a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate.
Record of Chancellors
- Oct. 24, 2021 to Current - Dr. Judith Sayers
- Oct. 24, 2014 to Oct. 23, 2021 - Louise Mandell
- Sept. 1, 2008 to Sept. 1, 2014 - Shawn Atleo