Prominent Indigenous educator recognized

Okanagan Band member Edna Terbasket wins 2012 ABCDE award

Edna Terbasket

Okanagan Band Member and Indigenous educator Edna Terbasket has been awarded the Association of BC Deans of Education (ABCDE) Education Advocate of the Year Award for 2012.

“I have a passion for education and teaching and believe knowledge is the key to a more creative and compassionate society,” says Terbasket.  “I am honoured to receive this award, and will continue working with my community and schools to enhance and support lifelong learning for children and people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Terbasket, who is the executive director at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, is a member of the UBC Okanagan Aboriginal Advisory Council, which helps create and strengthen Aboriginal programming and resources at the university.

"Edna has worked very hard over the years to advocate for an excellent education system as a primary resource for the development of children and communities," says Lyle Mueller, special advisor, Aboriginal Relations at UBC's Okanagan campus. "She has been the primary driving force behind many initiatives to strengthen education, from preschool to post-secondary."

Lynn Bosetti, dean of the Faculty of Education at UBC's Okanagan campus, says Terbasket was chosen for the award because of her commitment to lifelong learning and her dedication to promoting the free and open exchange of ideas, analyses, and views of educational issues.

"She was also chosen because she is a strong advocate for making bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal education communities to enhance awareness and understanding on how to support Aboriginal student success," says Bosetti.

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