First Nations mother and son graduate from UBC together


May 26, 2016 – Watching a loved one graduate from university is a proud moment, but for Jocelyne and Randy Robinson, the pride will be twofold as the mother and son graduate from the University of British Columbia a day apart.

Randy, 31, who once worked as a janitor scrubbing toilets, is graduating from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Jocelyne, a sculptor and single mother who raised seven children in East Vancouver, is graduating with a PhD in education.

The Robinsons are Algonquin from the Timiskaming First Nation in Quebec. They share a strong commitment to use their degrees to help improve the lives of other indigenous peoples.

Jocelyne and Randy Robinson

Jocelyne and Randy Robinson

“We’re overrepresented in the criminal justice system, but underrepresented as lawyers,” said Randy, who spent time during law school working at the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic in the Downtown Eastside. “Growing up, I saw the inequities that exist for indigenous peoples. I wanted to become a lawyer to give them a voice, so they have that perspective and advocacy of a fellow indigenous person in court.”

For Jocelyne, pursuing a PhD was motivated by her experiences in the classroom as a high school educator. Her PhD work focused on ways to attract more indigenous students to careers in math and science.

“My goal is to leave a legacy behind for the next generation,” she said. “It wasn’t that long ago Aboriginal Peoples couldn’t go to university or practice law. Or even leave the reserve. It’s pretty incredible that we’re here.”

Randy’s graduation ceremony is May 25. Jocelyne’s is May 26. They’ll be celebrating their academic achievements together along with other Aboriginal graduates at the First Nations House of Learning’s annual graduation celebration at the UBC First Nations Longhouse on May 28.

STORY UPDATE: May 28th CTV news story


Source: Indigenous mother-son duo overcome odds, graduate from UBC – together

Page Modified: May 31, 2016

One response to “First Nations mother and son graduate from UBC together”

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    First Nations mother and son graduate from UBC together – Indigenous Portal