Four people have been inducted to the University of Lethbridge’s (U of L) Alumni Honour Society. Ahkoiinnimaki (Pipe Woman) Star Crop Eared Wolf, Desmond (Dez) Kamara, April Matisz and Dr. Philip McRae are all being recognized for their achievements.
“Our alumni are using their [U of L] experience to make a real difference in society, improving people’s lives and serving as inspiration to today’s students who can see themselves in the inspiring work they do,” says Cyndi Bester, president of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association.
Ahkoiinnimaki (Pipe Woman) Star Crop Eared Wolf
Ahkoiinnimaki (Pipe Woman) Star Crop Eared Wolf is an artist and curator from the Kainai Nation whose work focuses on multiple disciplines, including painting, sculptures and photography. Officials say her work explores environmental and cultural themes that “deeply rooted” in Blackfoot traditions. Crop Eared Wolf achieved her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Native American Art (Art History/Museum Studies) in 2017, and her work has since appeared in galleries across North America. She is currently the curator at The Confluence (Fort Calgary) and is helping bring Indigenous perspectives to the forefront.
Desmond (Dez) Kamara
Dez Kamara earned a Bachelor of Arts at the U of L, majoring in anthropology. Born in Sierra Leone, Kamara survived over a decade of civil war and post-conflict. He produced a documentary to raise awareness of the experiences of war victims, particularly former child soldiers. Kamara’s career spans nearly a decade working with the United Nations, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and different international non-governmental organizations in Sierra Leone, Canada and Jamaica. In 2023, he returned to the U of L to launch his first book, and recently completed a master’s in social work at the University of Windsor, where he specialized in mental health and community development.
April Matisz
April Matisz has established herself as a strong voice in contemporary Canadian art, connecting her education in both art and biology to engage in issues of motherhood and ecology. The artist recently had a solo exhibition at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge and finished her MFA at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. In Winter 2025, Matisz will start teaching Drawing 1 at the U of L.
Dr. Philip McRae
Dr. Philip McRae has provided keynote speeches at events across the world, helping create spaces sharing insights and advancing conversations on issues shaping the future of education. The U of L says Dr. McRae’s commitment to research and fostering positive change knows no bounds as he has teaching experience in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and in Alberta, with the Lethbridge Public School District and at Red Crow College with the Blood Tribe. Currently, Dr. McRae balances positions as the executive staff officers and association coordinator of government research at the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and as adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, where he earned his PhD.
Award Ceremony
The four newest inductees to the Alumni Honour Society will be celebrated at the Let There Be Light Night on Friday, October 18.
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