Personal Reflections on the

Power of Education

Hon. Lillian Eva (Quan) Dyck, PhD, DLitt

Saskatchewan Senator

www.sen.parl.gc.ca/ldyck/

DKG Society International

NW Regional Conference July 31-2015

Why did I go to university?

Right time, lucky to be smart

No choice – needed to support myself!

Not for an “Mrs”

University education leads to higher salary

and a more satisfying job.

And an analytical mind!

B.A. Chem, 1966

Year off – unsure

B.A. Honors Biochem, 1968

M.Sc., Biochem, 1970

Marriage, son, working

PhD, Biological Psiat, 1981

Gr 12 Graduation, 1963 Senate of Canada, 2005

Photos removed

What’s changed (on the UofS

campus) since 1963?

1963:

~0 Aboriginals

UG women a minority

Overt sexism, racism

SEM female faculty rare

2015:

~2000 Aboriginals

UG women the majority

Subtle sexism, racism

Still under-represented

1963 2015

Date rape

Sexism accepted

(Lady Godiva ride OK)

(rape chants OK)

(sexist jokes OK)

(sexual imagery low)

Date rape drugs

Not acceptable

(no longer occurs)

(rape chant decried)

(sexist jokes ??)

(sexual imagery

common – games,

videos, movies)

35 Women face denial of sexual

abuse – they are Leaders.

Struggles lead to Leadership

Women are natural leaders.

As Life Givers, we nurture and protect

our children. This extends to our families,

our friends, our coworkers and

communities.

Female Leadership

Chief Leslee White-eye: July 29-2015

“We are all leaders as women, no matter

what our culture or background. Now I have

stage to be doing what I’m supposed to be

doing and to bring awareness around

women’s issues and responsibilities.”

“I don’t see this as a role of authority and

power. I see it as a role of service.”

Taking leadership as a Woman

scientist

Dealing with porno files on a lab

computer:

Reporting it

Being told ‘we can’t do anything’!

Deleting them anyways!

Calling in IT to give a talk

My story: from waitress to scientist to

senator

Despite the odds (the obstacles):

- being ashamed of being Indian

- being picked on as a Chinese girl

- moving from small town to small town

- in rural SK and AB

- being poor, being shy

- mother died when I was in gr 5.

- father died when I was in gr 12.

Despite being undervalued as a

Professor and unbelievable

harassment,

I became a Full Professor

an Associate Dean, CGSR

and a Senator

Campus Security

Hitting Rock Bottom

lead to Finding Inner Power

Mid-1990’s

Divorce

Isolation and Bullying at work

Walking home – crying

My mother’s spirit came to me. My Cree Indian mother overcame her barriers. I’d be

damned if I let some man push me out of my job simply

because I’m a woman!

Finding my Brand – my Label

The Go-To Person for equity issues

Savor the Rewards

The unexpected thank you’s

Knowing you’ve made a positive

difference in someone’s life.

Savor your succeses:

my proudest moments as a

scientist

Saying “NO” to joining Alviva

Runner-up – my 1st sole author paper

2005 - Summoned to the Senate

Why me?

Because I was a highly educated.

Because I’m an Aboriginal female.

Because I had a public profile.

Because I did public work that I was told

not to do! Speaking about equity

issues, discrimination, WIS, Aboriginals.

“Dare to be Brave” (2002 book chapter)

Taking leadership as a racialized woman:

a Warrior Woman

Advocating for an inquiry into MMIWG.

Advocating for closing the gap in the

education of Aboriginals.

Speaking in the senate on bills affecting

FNs

Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik

Women walking Together

Photo removed

Savor your Successes:

my proudest moments as a senator

...

Runner-up – with two MPs, convincing the

Liberal leader to back a national inquiry into

MMAWG.

The Skunk teaches us valuable lessons

Some days you have to create a stink to earn respect!

SK Elders: Education is Our Buffalo.

Paskwa mooswa kis-kinawa mah-sowin

L’ éducation est notre bison.