Indspire Awards 2022: Dr. Annette Trimbee honoured for Indigenous achievement
The Indspire Awards represents the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows. Over its 29 years, 396 First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals have received the award for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their communities.
This year, Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor at MacEwan University and former president and vice-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, was honoured with the 2022 Indspire Award in Education.
Dr. Trimbee’s impressive career has been accentuated by a strong commitment to public policy and public service. Over the course of her 28 years in Alberta’s civil service, she was responsible for three different government departments as Deputy Minister, where she became well-known for her strategic thinking and ability to drive transformational change.
Following her enormously successful career in public service, Dr. Trimbee was appointed president and vice-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg in 2014, where she led the institution on a journey of transformation over the ensuing six years.
Dr. Trimbee is a pround alum of the University of Winnipeg, where she completed her first degree, a BSc in Biology. Dr. Trimbee also holds an MSc from the University of Manitoba and a PhD in ecology from McMaster University, and she completed her post-doctoral studies in aquatic ecology at the University of Alberta. While at the University of Alberta, Dr. Trimbee developed a strong interest in helping people through public policy development; an interest that guided her throughout her career.
Dr. Trimbee credits her Métis grandmother with shaping her identity today. Now equipped with a stronger understanding of her Métis heritage, she is proud to lead institutions committed to reconciliation and inclusivity.
“Annette is an inspiration, a mentor and a champion for women—Métis women in particular. I would like to underscore Dr. Trimbee’s commitment to advancing Indigenous equality in society, and especially within higher education. For her longstanding engagement and commitment in Alberta, Manitoba and elsewhere we are thrilled to see Annette recognized with this Indspire Award.” – Paul Davidson, Universities Canada president
To learn more about the Indspire Awards and its other recipients, visit the Indspire website.
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Tagged: Indigenous education
