2014 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue Presentation Ceremony: Chief Robert Joseph

Simon Fraser University President Andrew Petter and Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue Academic Director Mark Winston presented the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue to Chief Robert Joseph on January 15, 2014. The award citation recognized Chief Joseph's tireless work to renew relationships among Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, built on a foundation of openness, dignity, understanding and hope.

Chief Joseph is a Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and Special Advisor to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, among other distinctions. As Co-Chair of British Columbia’s September 2013 national Truth and Reconciliation event and Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada, Chief Joseph led a historic effort to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Events included a 70,000-person Walk for Reconciliation that brought Canada’s many cultures to walk a path together in a shared commitment to reconciliation.