Associate Professor, School of Social Work

SHOUTING OUT Bonita Lawrence
Full Professor, Department of Humanities, Indigenous Studies Program

When I was a grad student, I was assigned a reading called Decolonizing Anti-racism (2005). It spoke to me so deeply! This article has informed my own work. The woman that I want to recognize is the brilliant Mi’kmaq scholar, Bonita Lawrence. When I started at York, the idea that I got to work with Bonita Lawrence was beyond exciting. As a junior Indigenous scholar, getting to meet Bonita was overwhelming, however, I was quickly embraced. Bonita became my friend, my mentor and most importantly my academic Auntie! She has cheered me on from the moment I met her. She has always been a safe place for me to share my thoughts, fears and feelings.  She inspires me as she genuinely wants others to succeed. Bonita has committed her scholarly work to supporting and advancing Indigenous education. She has worked to build curriculum and programs that centres and advances Indigenous knowledges. Bonita deserves to be recognized as the academic matriarch she is here at York University.