On December 30, 2015, The Honorable Howard Pawley passed
away. He was a lawyer, a professor, a provincial
minister, the Premier of Manitoba and an Officer of the Order of Canada. To me, I have always known him as Professor
Pawley.
When I arrived at the University of Waterloo, there was only
one class I wanted to attend, Professor Pawley’s Canadian Federalism: Past, Present and Future – the one that
eventually shaped my path to become a public servant. He was so dedicated to
this course that he would show up for a night class in front of 10-12 honours
students while traveling to and from Windsor to Waterloo. He was part of the University’s Stanley
Knowles Visiting Professor in Canadian Studies and he had our attention from
the moment he showed up on campus. He
was more than a professor, he entertained us with countless stories of his time
as a Premier and discussions he had with Prime Minister Mulroney, various international
leaders and diplomats, the life of a politician, the NAFTA debates and the
Meech Lake Accord. Each class built a momentum that pitted our values and ideals
about politics, policy and what it is to be Canadian. To this day, his class atmosphere
produced one of the most valuable intellectual debates I have experienced and
influenced the lens from which I view public service. At Waterloo, he observed my passion for human
rights, social justice, international development and indigenous issues. He would often tell me that if there was one thing
I could focus on and make a significant difference in the country, I should
dedicate my time on indigenous policy – learn the history, build relationships,
understand the culture and contribute to progressing our nation.
He is one of the most influential mentors in my life. When I left Waterloo, he was my
reference to attend Carleton University’s M.A. Program at School of Canadian
Studies. He suggested that I intern in
various Government departments and one day, my passion may even lead to
creating an organization that would help communities outside of Canada. We did not agree on all things and surely
debated his stance on various issues but rest assured, he cared for his
students as evident in the way he kept emailing and asking about my family, my
studies and my career progression. He was patient and respectful and was always
a willing reference and an advisor if need be. He was also a visionary.In 2003, I joined the federal public service. I have dedicated more than a decade of my work on indigenous issues and currently a Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Affairs with the Department of Canadian Heritage. I am the Founder and Director of the Isa Mundo Foundation which was launched in 2005. I know that all these endeavors were shaped in some way by Professor Pawley. He always believed that I would find a way to contribute, his role was to support and inspire, which he did in countless ways. In our last encounter, he reminded me to be a strong and compassionate public servant. To always consult, be inclusive and to stand for things I believed in. I remember him telling me how Isa Mundo is a legacy I should be proud of and to continue the work despite the challenges and stress of directing a non-profit organization. He said in the future, I will see generations of children and youth who benefited from our projects by providing opportunities to be able to contribute to their families, communities and nations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau summed it up best that
Professor Pawley was "… a remarkable
Canadian, widely respected for his championing of human rights, social justice,
and economic development … his legacy will live on in the many advances our
country has made toward achieving greater social justice for all."
Professor Pawley, through the Isa Mundo Foundation, I vow to continue to help those less fortunate in the world - as you have taught us all. Rest in peace, you will be missed.
