Celia Haig-Brown (born in 1947) is a Euro-Canadian scholar, researcher, educator and filmmaker covering topics on Indigenous histories, educational experiences, and the ongoing impacts of colonial systems in Canada.[1][2] She is a Professor Emerita and Senior Scholar at York University's Faculty of Education, Toronto. She has three children, six grandchildren, and lives with her partner in Toronto overlooking the Humber Marsh.[3]
Haig-Brown became interested in the experiences of the Canadian Indian residential school system through conversations with Indigenous friends.[4] This led her to interview residential school survivors of the Kamloops Indian Residential School and their families, documenting their stories in books and documentary films.
Family and early life
Celia Haig-Brown was raised in Campbell River, British Columbia, in the Haig-Brown Heritage House, operated by the Museum at Campbell River.[5] She is the youngest of four children born to Roderick Haig-Brown, an author, conservationist, and magistrate, and Ann Elmore Haig-Brown, a teacher and librarian.[6] Ann Elmore Haig-Brown was also active in several community organizations and operated a safe house for women fleeing abusive relationships.[7] In recognition of her contributions to the community, the City of Campbell River declared May 3 as Ann Elmore Haig-Brown Day in 2008.[7] Celia Haig-Brown's siblings are Valerie Haig-Brown, Alan Haig-Brown, and Mary Haig-Brown.[8]
In 1968 Celia Haig-Brown earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, with majors in Zoology and English. She soon moved to Williams Lake, British Columbia, where she worked as a teacher’s assistant, which sparked her interest in education.[9] In Kamloops, Haig-Brown taught for five years in Kamloops secondary schools and coordinated the "Native Indian Teacher Education Program" (now known as the Indigenous Teacher Education Program) in Kamloops until 1986.[10]
Academic career
Celia Haig-Brown completed a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and then a PhD in the Social Foundations of Educational Policy from the University of British Columbia.[9] Her work has focused on Indigenous education and the history of residential schools in Canada.[11][12][13][14]
From 2015 to 2020, she served as the Associate Vice-President of Research in the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation at York University.[15] Prior to this role, she was the Associate Dean of Research & Professional Learning in York University's Faculty of Education from 2013 to 2015.[15] She served as Chair of Senate from 2009 to 2010.[15]
During her career, Haig-Brown was an Associate Member in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto from 1997 to 2008. Between 1999 and 2003, she held the role of Director for the Graduate Program in Language, Culture, and Teaching in York University's Faculty of Graduate Studies.[16]
From 1996 to 2002, Haig-Brown served as an Associate Professor across multiple faculties at York University, including the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the School of Women's Studies.[16]
As a professor in York University's faculty of education and Associate Vice President of Research, Haig-Brown supported Indigenous education initiatives. She has worked with Indigenous communities and educators to promote culturally responsive teaching practices. Haig-Brown emphasizes building long-term relationships with Indigenous communities and ensuring their voices guide her work.[4]
Her research includes documentary film that has been shown at the Smithsonian Film Festival in New York and the Irving International Film Festival in California.[17]
2022 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Academy of Social Sciences.[21]
2009 Ted T. Aoki Award for Distinguished Service in Canadian Curriculum Studies. Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies, Canadian Society for Studies in Education Awards.[22]
1989 British Columbia Book Prize: Roderick Haig Brown Regional Prize. West Coast Book Prize Society.[23][bettersourceneeded]
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