The hawk glided silently against the perfect blue sky. On a stunning autumn  morning, the October  sunshine felt like mid-summer.

Down below, about 50 people gathered on the grass for a ceremony to officially rename the Glenridge traffic roundabout as Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Circle, in honour of the Métis broadcaster and artist who left her mark on Canadian history and also on Brock University.

A hawk sits atop a lamp post bearing the new street sign in honour of Suzanne Rochon-Burnett.

Born in Ste. Adele, Que. in 1935, Rochon-Burnett was working at a Montreal radio station by age 19, then spent 15 years as a broadcaster and model in Europe before returning home to eventually operate CHOW radio in Niagara, becoming the first Indigenous Canadian to own a CRTC broadcast license.

She would also become co-founder and first vice-chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and sit on boards at TV Ontario, The Ontario Arts Council and the Canadian Council of the Arts, among others. In 2002, Rochon-Burnett received an Honorary Doctorate from Brock in recognition of her contributions to Canadian cultural life.

But her family’s proudest legacy is the Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Scholarship at Brock, which has so far helped 18 Indigenous students embark on a university education they may have otherwise never had.

Rochon-Burnett, who also served two terms on Brock’s Board of Trustees, passed away in 2006. Ten years later her daughter Michele-Elise Burnett now sits on the Brock board, and on this warm autumn day she stood before the gathering, reminiscing about her mother in a moving ceremony rich with spiritual and Indigenous symbolism.

“She would remind me that money can come and go, but if you have your morals, ethics and a great education, you can rebuild from anything,” said Rochon. “She knew that higher education was the key to our peoples’ sustainable future.”

Overhead, the hawk circled and soared.

“She believed in our youth. Today, many indigenous students will graduate from Brock with the aid of her scholarship, and will leave a positive imprint in our community’s fibres.”

A few people were glancing up at the majestic bird.

“She asked that we continue her dream of educating our Indigenous youth, that we allow them their dignity and give them the tools and skills to make a difference in the world.

“My mother’s journey was one of many challenges, which she embraced with passion, inner strength and a positive outlook. I share this with you because it was her last message before she journeyed to the spiritual world.”

The daughter paused, then joined other Brock guests in a ceremony to unveil the new street sign that reads, “Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Circle.”

Applause followed, along with teary smiles. Commemorative photos were taken, and as the gathering began to disperse, someone looked up at the top of the lamppost bearing the new street sign.

There, taking it all in, sat the hawk.

Donors are encouraged to support the Rochon-Burnett Scholarship for Indigenous Students. For more information, please contact Michelle Kerr in the University Development office at 688-5550 ext. 5942.

Brian Hutchings, Vice-President Administration; Michele-Elise Burnett; Brock Elder-in-Residence Carol Jacobs; Interim President Tom Traves; and Senate Chair Scott Henderson.

The street naming ceremony was one of three Indigenous-themed events on Brock’s campus Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Earlier in the morning, about 80 people gathered on the north side of the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex for a ceremony to officially open the Brock Healing Garden.

Healing gardens are green spaces whose natural plantings create a therapeutic environment where people can offset stress and connect to nature. Brock’s garden is meant to symbolize the University’s commitment to Indigenous students and issues, and be a focal point for positive discussion.

Aboriginal Students Organization president Ryan Wijesirigunawardena, who spearheaded the effort to create the Brock facility, told Tuesday’s gathering that the Healing Garden is meant “to bring all people of all different colours into the same circle. It’s an interactive place to be used by everyone, allowing us to communicate with self, with spirit and with nature.”

The third event of the day was the official opening of the new home of the Aboriginal Student Services office, which is now located in the northeast corner of Market Hall.