Both to be honoured for careers championing the rights and needs of the most vulnerable
The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) will award honorary degrees to two leaders whose lifelong contributions embody JIBC’s vision of safer communities and a more just society. Elder Gerald Oleman of the St’at’imc Nation, and Jay Chalke, former Ombudsperson of British Columbia, will each receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at JIBC’s 2026 spring convocation on June 11.
“Elder Gerry Oleman and Jay Chalke have both spent their careers championing the rights and needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society and I am honoured to recognize their accomplishments,” said JIBC President and CEO Len Goerke. “Elder Oleman’s contributions across justice, education and health care have advanced both Truth and Reconciliation, while Jay Chalke has dedicated his life to ensuring citizens are treated fairly by governments and can access justice.”
Elder supports education, health and justice sectors with Indigenous teachings
Elder Gerald Oleman (Saa Hiil Thut) is a traditional knowledge keeper, healer, educator, mentor, and storyteller whose work has advanced Indigenous wellness, governance, education and justice. A former Chief, Band Councillor, and Tribal Director, he was among the first Indigenous addictions counsellors trained in British Columbia. He later became the first Indigenous cultural advisor at the B.C. Institute of Technology, where he introduced traditional counselling and healing practices.
Throughout his career, he has supported many post-secondary institutions as an Elder, lecturer, sweat lodge keeper, curriculum consultant, and advisor. At the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he holds several Adjunct Professor appointments, he has shared teachings on traditional justice, medicines, healing and land use, cultural and spiritual care in health settings, colonization, residential schools, and Indigenous student success.
In health care, Elder Oleman became the first Traditional Practitioner permitted to use Indigenous healing methods at BC Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. He helped shape Indigenous health policies and programs, including the first HSO BC Cultural Safety and Humility standard, and supported Indigenous youth programs focused on health, wellness, suicide prevention and education.
Since 2016, he has advised the BC Prosecution Service, BC Corrections, and emergency services on Indigenous justice and cultural safety. For over a decade, Elder Oleman worked closely with residential school survivors. As a survivor of Kamloops Indian Residential School himself, he facilitated UBC’s Truth and Reconciliation process and continues to work toward collective healing and positive change.
Former ombudsperson built international reputation for addressing systemic injustice
Jay Chalke has earned an international reputation for protecting the legal and financial interests of vulnerable people and confronting systemic injustice affecting those who are often marginalized or without voice. From 2015 to January 2026, he served as the Ombudsperson of British Columbia. He led the office’s largest-ever investigation, into the termination of seven Ministry of Health employees – a case with serious and lasting consequences.
Chalke also investigated issues including gaps in correctional facility inspections, unfair financial assistance during extreme weather evacuations, failures to protect psychiatric patients’ rights and inequities facing vulnerable homeowners in municipal tax sales. He recommended and implemented B.C.’s public sector whistleblower protection law and advanced initiatives strengthening ombuds services for Indigenous peoples.
Before becoming Ombudsperson, Chalke served as Assistant Deputy Minister for the Justice Services Branch, where he helped launch Canada’s first online tribunal, the Civil Resolution Tribunal, supported the modernization of family law and led the development of annual Justice Summits to foster dialogue and collaboration across B.C.’s justice system.
His earlier public service included roles as Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia and similar positions in Ontario, where he began his career as an investigator with Ombudsman Ontario and later as a Crown counsel. Chalke currently serves as co-director of Canada’s leading ombuds certificate program at Osgoode Hall Law School. He received the King’s Counsel designation in 2006 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.
The 2026 spring convocation ceremony will be held on June 11 at the New Westminster campus to recognize approximately 495 graduates who have completed certificates, diplomas and degrees at JIBC.