Vianne timmons biography of barack obama

Canadian university administrator

Vianne Timmons, OC (born ) is a Canadian academic who most recently served as president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland^[1] from to She was president and vice chancellor of the University of Regina,^[2] from to

Professional life

She was president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina,^[2] a public university in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, from to In , university faculty expressed concerns that non-academic jobs and costs had risen at the expense of academic priorities since her appointment.^[3]

Timmons is a researcher, author, and lecturer in the area of educational inclusion.^[4] Prior to her appointment at the University of Regina, Timmons served as a professor and vice-president at the University of Prince Edward Island.^[5] She was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) in the Government House List of 29 December

In , Timmons was appointed to the independent advisory board for Senate appointments;^[6] official documents naming Timmons as a Saskatchewan representative to the board stated she was a member of the Bras d’Or Mi’kmaq First Nation.^[7]

In March , she was appointed as a board member of VIA Rail Canada by Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.^[8]

Timmons became president and vice chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland on April 1, ^[1] She was removed from that post by the university's board of regents on April 6, ^[9] A public report made by the Auditor General following her leave from office noted "expenses considered to be excessive," including $1, paid for custom-made chocolates.^[10] At the time of her removal, she was entitled to a severance payment of at least $, plus $, for accumulated administrative leave.^[11]

False claims of indigeneity

Timmons was a recipient of the Indspire Award, and was described as one of "Twelve Indigenous people honoured for their extraordinary work across Canada."^[12]

In Timmons told media "I wasn't raised in the Mi'kmaq culture but my great, great grandmother was a Mi'kmaq woman from Conne River So I am of Mi'kmaq heritage."^[13] In she told media "I’m of Mi’kmaq ancestry."^[14] A March 8, CBC investigation was published with evidence that she is not Indigenous, and that she has claimed to be Indigenous in the past.^[15] Timmons released a statement acknowledging that she is not Indigenous.^[16] On March 13, Timmons went on a 6-week paid leave while Memorial University began a consultation process with the Indigenous community to discuss the issue.^[6][17] Following this announcement, an Indigenous faculty member stated they had raised concerns about claims to Indigeneity and Memorial's response to identity verification the previous year.^[18]

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