Author Topic: University president to take leave amid controversy over Indigenous ancestry  (Read 12923 times)

Offline ska

  • Posts: 162
Incident involving Vianne Timmons is latest high-profile case of apparent cultural identity fraud:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/15/vianne-timmons-canadian-university-president-indigenous-claim

Offline Sparks

  • Posts: 1483
Re: Vianne Timmons — University president to take leave …
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2025, 09:30:36 pm »
Incident involving Vianne Timmons is latest high-profile case of apparent cultural identity fraud:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/15/vianne-timmons-canadian-university-president-indigenous-claim

Some more news items from that period:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/vianne-timmons-paid-leave-1.6776891
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MUN president Vianne Timmons apologizes, takes temporary leave, as Mi'kmaw claims scrutinized
Board of regents striking Indigenous roundtable to discuss issue
Ariana Kelland · CBC News · Posted: Mar 13, 2023 7:58 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 13, 2023

https://vancouversun.com/news/canada/memorial-university-vianne-timmons-indigenous-ancestry-controversy/wcm/7d4ffcfe-7c13-4bb3-a424-4077bc13ba19
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Memorial University president steps aside in latest 'pretendian' Indigenous controversy
Vianne Timmons has often cited Mi’kmaw ancestry in her CV and official bios, but a CBC probe was unable to find any evidence of an Indigenous ancestor
Author of the article:By Tristin Hopper _ Published Mar 15, 2023

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/vianne-timmons-mun-1.6803740https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/vianne-timmons-mun-1.6803740
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Vianne Timmons removed as president of Memorial University
Board of regents made announcement Thursday afternoon in MUN's Gazette
Ariana Kelland · CBC News · Posted: Apr 06, 2023 11:46 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 7, 2023

https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/vianne-timmons-these-have-been-very-difficult-weeks-former-memorial-university-president-speaks-out-about-firing-100848421
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VIANNE TIMMONS: 'These have been very difficult weeks' — former Memorial University president speaks out about firing
'I had never imagined that my 32 years of university administration would end like this'
Author of the article:Contributed, PNI Atlantic — Published Apr 28, 2023  •  Last updated Apr 28, 2023

This is how it began: https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/identity-vianne-timmons
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Walking the line
For years, Vianne Timmons claimed on her CV and professional bios that she was a member of an unrecognized Mi’kmaw band. She says it didn’t open any doors for her. — By Ariana Kelland and Katie Breen — Mar. 8, 2023

On Feb. 22, 2019, Vianne Timmons walked onto stage holding an eagle feather — gifted by a student — with her newly awarded Indspire trophy resting against her hip.

“I’m sad that I wasn’t raised knowing it but excited that I have the opportunity to learn more and ... my father did not have that opportunity.”

The president of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador says she has always been careful to make the distinction that she has Mi’kmaw heritage but is not Indigenous — despite accepting an honour that Indspire calls one of the most prestigious awards by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people.

In the past, she has publicly aligned herself with Bras d’Or Mi’kmaq First Nation, an unrecognized band. The membership was cited repeatedly in her CV and biographies for multiple appointments, including a national advisory board.

Now a CBC News investigation is raising questions about the clarity of her claims, the amount of research the top academic has done herself about her ancestry, and what doors — if any — have been opened for her as a result.

A follow-up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuSpKt6qZbA [April 11, 2023]
CBC News NL - Newfoundland and Labrador: (5:17) "Vianne Timmons out as MUN president".

Her biography at MUN (under the heading 'Past Presidents'):
https://www.mun.ca/president/about/past-presidents/dr-vianne-timmons/

Her Wikipedia article contains several links to news items and a 'False claims of indigeneity' part:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vianne_Timmons

Finally, there were other issues, too:
https://vocm.com/2023/10/23/chocolates-limos-and-oil-changes-ag-report-scrutinizes-former-mun-presidents-spending/

Offline milehighsalute

  • Posts: 403
so.....a female ward churchill?