Media releases

• Brock provides University lands for Canada Games infrastructure

  Friday, May 10, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 10 May 2019 – R00080

  Brock University has approved contributing a parcel of land at its main campus so it can be the site of a community and athletics complex that would be the central site when the 2021 Canada Summer Games are hosted in Niagara.

  On Thursday, May 9, Brock’s Board of Trustees voted to provide the land, currently part of a parking area, where Canada Games Park can be built if Games organizers are able to secure the required funding from various levels of government.

  The cost of building the Canada Games infrastructure projects will be shared through funding from the Niagara Region, Niagara’s municipalities and higher levels of government.

  In addition to the land for Canada Games Park, which Brock will provide on a long-term lease for a nominal-fee, the University will contribute $3.5 million in-kind through the use of Brock’s facilities during the Games, as well as a $500,000 financial contribution.

  “The 2021 Canada Summer Games has the potential to be a transformative moment in Niagara’s history, and Brock University is on board,” said Gary Comerford, Chair of the Brock University Board of Trustees.

  “This will be the largest sporting event ever held in Niagara, and the largest-ever Canada Games. As such, it will leave a lasting legacy on the region on many levels, including new and upgraded facilities.”

  More than 5,000 athletes will compete in 18 different sports from Aug. 6 to 22, 2021, with all of those competitions taking place across Niagara municipalities.

  Canada Games Park would include a sport and ability centre, arenas, gymnasiums and an outdoor facility with a track, athletic field and beach volleyball courts.

  Brock President Gervan Fearon said the investment being made by the University will benefit generations of not just students, but the entire Niagara community.

  “The investment supports the Canada Games in building two legacies,” said Fearon. “First, there is the physical infrastructure legacy of the Games, and second is the legacy of leveraging the facilities in support of university community engagement, academic curriculum and research activities involving the Niagara region here at Brock.

  In addition to Brock’s contribution to the Games through the in-kind and financial donations, it will also be involved from the academic and student engagement perspective.

  The University now has three Canada Games academic committees in the areas of research, experiential learning and community engagement.

  These groups are working to develop innovative initiatives in all three areas, from identifying collaborative research projects and curricular offerings to creating volunteer community engagement opportunities.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Cheechoo receives warm welcome after Order of Canada investiture

  Thursday, May 09, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 9 May 2019 – R00079

  Brock University Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo was one of 39 people invested into the Order of Canada Wednesday, May 8 by Governor General Julie Payette.

  Thursday night, the Indigenous academic leader and award-winning artist was welcomed at a reception at Brock, where a packed house celebrated the remarkable achievement.

  “What this means to me is that it honours so many people,” Cheechoo said. “My mentors, my family, my friends and the elders who have taught me. Everyone walked this road together. I didn’t do it alone.”

  The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest honours, recognizing Canadians whose service shapes society, whose innovations ignite imaginations and whose compassion unites communities. There are three levels of the Order of Canada and Cheechoo was invested as a Member.

  Among the speakers Thursday was Amos Key, Jr., who will begin his tenure as the University’s first-ever Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement on July 1.

  He said the opportunity to work with Cheechoo was one of the things that attracted him to the role at Brock.

  “I was grateful that Shirley opened the door for creating the position of Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement,” Key said. “Knowing her story and her journey and having spoken to her a couple of times, I thought it would be great if I got the role. I’m looking forward to working with her.”

  A member of the Cree nation, Cheechoo became the first woman and first Indigenous Canadian to be appointed to the ceremonial leadership role of Chancellor of Brock University in 2015.
  She is also the founder and executive director at Weengushk Film Institute on Manitoulin Island, which helps Indigenous and at-risk youth develop career skills or return to school.

  As a filmmaker, Cheechoo’s work has been shaped by her First Nations background. Her award-winning 2012 film Moose River Crossing examines characters who, like her, are survivors of the residential school system.

  Similar to her work in theatre and filmmaking, Cheechoo has helped to move Brock University through the power of stories, said Carol Jacobs, who was Brock’s Elder-in-Residence for nearly a decade.

  “In doing so, she has made this University a better place for the whole campus community and is most worthy of the award we celebrate tonight,” Jacobs said. “Much of the progress we have seen at Brock is directly connected to her advice and influence. She has helped to clear Brock’s path towards a stronger and more respectful relationship with Indigenous students, staff and local communities.”

  Brock President Gervan Fearon called Cheechoo “an inspiration on many different levels.”

  “I have witnessed how she inspires and energizes excited young people at Brock University Convocation ceremonies,” he said.

  Fearon said it’s not a coincidence that the new position of Vice-Provost for Indigenous Engagement was established during Cheechoo’s time as Chancellor.

  “Shirley’s arrival at the University has helped the Brock community better understand and embrace the importance of our Indigenous relationship,” he said. “I am excited at the thought of Amos helping to strengthen our connections with the Indigenous community both internally and externally — working to ensure that the community benefits from what Brock can do.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases