Professor 'blazed a trail' for those to follow through system

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When Mohawk doctor Marlene Brant Castellano joined the Faculty of

Native Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., she was the

first Aboriginal full professor at a Canadian university. That was just

25 years ago. Castellano has been making space for Aboriginal students

and faculty ever since.

"Hang on to what you know, in your heart," she said. "There's space for

that. There's space for now for being Indian, Metis, Inuit, First

Nations in Canada. The space is getting bigger and you don't have to

give up who you are in order to be fully participant in Canadian

society." Castellano received her Ph.D. in educational theory from the

University of Toronto in 1981. She served as chairman of the department

of Native studies at Trent from 1978 until 1980 and, for the past four

years, she has worked as a co-director of research for the royal

commission on Aboriginal peoples.

Her expertise in First Nations' family and mental health, social

services, Aboriginal women's perspectives and Indigenous knowledge is

sought by universities, professional bodies and community organizations

around the world.

As well, when she retires in July of this year, Castellano will leave

behind a body of work and accomplishment that blazed the way to

university careers for Aboriginal scholars. The 60-year-old Mohawk has

increased the presence of Aboriginal curriculum, knowledge and students

in the U.S. and Canada.

Castellano was nominated for education along with Freda Ahenakew of

Muskeg Lake, Sask.; Gerald Alfred of Kahnawake, Que.; Byron Louis

Apetagon of Norway House, Man.; Barbara Barnes of Cornwall, Ont.; Mary

E. Courchene of Winnipeg.; Thoms French of Calgary; Lucille Kewayosh of

London, Ont.; Alvin Mackay of New Aiyansh, B.C.; Barbara Memogana of

Holman, N.W.T.; Vie Mercredi of Fort McMurray, Alta.; Mildred Milliea of

Big Cove, N.B.; Daniel Noel Musqua of Kamsack, Sask.; Ruby Okheena of

Holman, N.W.T.; Eutonnah Olsen-Dunn of Ottawa; Joan Palmantier Gentles

of Williams Lake, B.C.; William Clarence Thomas of Hodgson, Man.; Dr.

Carl Armand Urion of Edmonton and Flora Zaharia of Winnipeg.

She was given the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for "her

dedication to the development of Aboriginal curriculum and filling

Canadian campuses with an Aboriginal presence."