Honorary degree recipients

Robert Morales, Tl’ul’thut, is a distinguished member of the Cowichan Tribes and one of UVic Law’s early Indigenous graduates, earning his degree in 1986.

He is widely recognized for his leadership in reconciliation, redress and the restitution of Indigenous land rights. He continues to support the revitalization of Indigenous laws through guest participation in UVic Law field schools.

Morales began his career defending Indigenous clients affected by the legacies of residential schools and colonialism. By the late 1990s, he was leading treaty negotiations between the Cowichan Tribes and the provincial and federal governments as Chief Negotiator for the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group—work he continues today.

He served as elected Chair of the Chief Negotiators of the First Nations Summit, representing 67 First Nations, and helped establish the Common Table to address critical issues. Internationally, Morales advocated for Indigenous rights at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Morales has worked with policymakers and the public to advance understanding of Indigenous issues, including land claims and treaty negotiations. Recently, he led the Cowichan Tribes team in developing a new law for children and families.

Morales’s legacy reflects a lifelong dedication to his Nation’s well-being, the advancement of Indigenous rights, and transformative societal change.

Bob McDonald is widely regarded as Canada’s leading science communicator. Throughout his 50-year-long career as an author, radio and television host, he made science accessible and engaging for the public.

McDonald began his career as a demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre in 1972 before reaching national audiences as a CBC broadcaster. McDonald hosted Wonderstruck, an award-winning children’s science television program, as well as Quirks & Quarks, CBC Radio’s long-running weekly science show. He was a regular science correspondent on CBC Television and CBC News and authored seven books.

A recipient of numerous awards for science communication, McDonald was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011.

Beyond his national profile, McDonald also made an impact at the University of Victoria. He has served for several years as a judge for UVic’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) finals and has been a frequent invited speaker at public lectures. Notably, he was the master of ceremonies for the inaugural Faculty of Science Lipson Lecture in 2018 and the Lipson Lecturer himself in 2023.

McDonald’s long-standing commitment to science education, combined with his talent for communication, will be remembered throughout Canadian households for years to come.

Roy Henry Vickers is a celebrated Indigenous artist, author, printmaker and storyteller of Tsimshian, Haida, Heiltsuk, Wuikinuxv and English descent.

He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the Order of BC and a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2019, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his design work on a Grateful Dead CD box set.

He studied at the University of Victoria before joining the Saanich Fire Department, he then left to study and graduate from the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

His internationally acclaimed artwork reflects the landscapes, wildlife and people of British Columbia. Characterized by clean lines and vivid colors, his distinctive artistic style blends his Indigenous heritage with a contemporary design, creating timeless and evocative pieces.

Vickers’ influence is felt throughout the province—from founding his Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino to designing the Salmon Totem Pole for the 1994 Commonwealth Games. He also played a pivotal role in shaping the artistic direction of Vancouver International Airport’s new terminal, where his work remains prominently displayed.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, Vickers continues to leave a lasting legacy through his art and storytelling—sharing powerful messages of Indigenous self-determination, resilience and healing.

Suromitra Sanatani is a nationally recognized business leader who has dedicated her career to strengthening the people, institutions and infrastructure that support Canada’s communities.

She earned a BA in French Literature from the University of Victoria in 1985 and a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1988. She is fluent in French and German, with conversational proficiency in Bengali.

Sanatani began her career in litigation before moving into senior corporate and executive roles across the public, private and non-profit sectors. She has served on numerous boards having chaired Canada Post, the Royal Bank’s GAM Independent Review Committee and the Royal BC Museum. She has also served as a director on the boards of the Vancouver Airport Authority, Purolator Holdings, Canadian Blood Services, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, as well as the Edmonton and Victoria International Airports.

As Vice President of Corporate and Government Relations at Partnerships BC (now Infrastructure BC), she played a pivotal role in establishing this crown corporation focussed on major public infrastructure projects.

For her transformational leadership, Sanatani received the 2024 Women’s Executive Network Canadian EDI Chair of the Board Award. She is also the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation medal.

Lynda Farmer’s life is defined by service, leadership and a belief in the power of community. Through her philanthropy, community leadership and volunteerism she has enhanced British Columbia as a place to study, live and work.

Farmer earned a BA from UBC and was named an Honorary Alumna by UVic. A career in the public, private and non-profit sectors was built on a commitment to harnessing the power of teamwork.

Her volunteer leadership positions include BC Cancer Foundation, Bard on the Beach, Mary Winspear Foundation, Vancouver Foundation and United Way of Canada. She served as chair of the Camosun College Board of Governors and supports many community organizations including the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria.

She has been instrumental in regional projects including chairing campaigns for the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea and the Camosun College Centre for Trades Education and Innovation. She is a founding funder of Vancouver Island’s first Cancer Research Chair in Immunotherapy, based at BC Cancer - Victoria’s Deeley Research Centre.

Farmer’s contributions have been recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Order of British Columbia.