Cape Breton University Receives Two National Awards from the Canadian Council of Advancement of Education  

Members of the Learning the L'Nu Way Cohort pose in CBU's Great Hall

Members of the first Learning the L’Nu Way Cohort pose in CBU’s Great Hall

On May 16 – 19 during the 2021 Canadian Council for Advancement of Education’s (CCAE) Virtual National Conference, Cape Breton University won two medals as part of the Prix d’Excellence Awards – an annual awards program that recognized outstanding achievements in overall institutional advancement, including alumni affairs, public affairs, advancement communications, development services and donor stewardship. 

 Cape Breton University won a gold medal in the Best Indigenous Relations Initiative category and a silver medal in the Best Use of Social Media category. 

 CBU was awarded a Gold Medal in the Best Indigenous Relations Initiative for the Learning the L’nu Way Experience. This learning experience provided staff and faculty of CBU an opportunity for professional development that addresses some of the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report of Canada, as they relate to post-secondary education and institutions of higher learning.  

“I wish to recognize the tremendous work of the committee responsible for the Learning the L’nu Ways initiative at CBU. Stephen Augustine, Hereditary Chief and Associate Vice President, Indigenous Initiatives and Unama’ki College and Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Research, along with teams in Unama’ki College, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, Human Resources and Marketing and Communications,” said CBU President David Dingwall. “When we look at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Calls to Action, this is an initiative that we can do as a University community to learn more and become accountable on the journey to reconciliation. To be recognized nationally for this initiative is something I am deeply proud of.” 

 CBU was also awarded a Silver Medal in the Best Use of Social Media category for the school’s mascot, CAPER’s social media presence during the first several months of the lockdown. From his appearances on TikTok, to videos with the Easter Bunny, CAPER never stopped bringing joy and the CBU brand to the community.  

 “CAPER always loves a great party and to see all the smiling faces on campus and in the community. The pandemic and the resulting public health protocols were difficult for CAPER as well,” says President Dingwall “Through the power of video and social media, CAPER was able to continue to bring joy to our CBU community and he really developed a life of his own on those platforms. I was to thank Jill Ellsworth in particular for helping bring CAPER to life for us.”  

 CCAE is a volunteer-led organization that promotes excellence in educational advancement and provide opportunities for networking, professional learning and mutual support.  CCAE members represent universities, colleges, polytechnics, institutes, independent schools and cégeps from across the country.