UNBC will hand out honourary degrees to Xeni Gwet'in Chief Roger William and former UNBC President Dr. Charles Jago during a May convocation ceremony.
William will be recognized for his part in the historic 2014 Supreme Court ruling that found aboriginal land title extends to areas that were traditionally used for hunting, fishing and other activities.
The unanimous Supreme Court decision overturned a ruling by a lower court and recognized 1,750 square kilometres of territory for the Tsilhqot'in First Nation, located near Williams Lake.
The UNBC release noted William filed his case with the provincial Supreme Court in 1990, the same year the university was founded and that he "has been a lifelong advocate for the preservation of the traditional Tsilhqot'in way of life."
William has been active in the region as a board member with the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training and Education Council since 1990 and since 2011, a representative on the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors, the release said.
Jago, meanwhile, will be recognized for his tenure as university president between 1995 to 2006 and most recently from 2008 to 2009.
"He is a passionate advocate for Northern issues and was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Medical Program," the release said of Jago, who holds a PhD in History from Cambridge University.
Jago, who is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, became the namesake for the Northern Sport Centre when it opened in 2007 for his role in its development.
Both will receive their degrees on May 29, William in the morning at the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences ceremony and Jago in the afternoon at the College of Science and Management ceremony.
