Tom Jackson

September 30, 2008

WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg is delighted to pay tribute to Tom Jackson as the 2008 recipient of The Duff Roblin Award. The award is being presented at the President’s Gala Dinner on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Hotel Fort Garry.

The inaugural Duff Roblin Award was named in honour of and presented to The Honourable Duff Roblin in 2007. This prestigious award recognizes a recipient’s qualities as an outstanding Manitoban, a patron of education, and someone who demonstrates exemplary citizenship and life-long commitment to his or her community.

This year’s Award recipient is a role model for students. Born on the One Arrow Reserve in Saskatchewan and raised in Winnipeg, Jackson is not only an accomplished actor and musician, he is also a well-known philanthropist and humanitarian. His work to initiate The Dreamcatcher Tour focuses on empowering Aboriginal youth and high-school students to create opportunities for themselves through positive messages about stress, mental health, suicide prevention and coping.

Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000 for his talent and work with the less fortunate, his tireless efforts and determination continue to establish him as a gifted entertainer dedicated to improving the quality of life of the underprivileged. Jackson’s active commitment continues, as he has recently agreed to be the spokesperson for the University’s Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund exists to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or socio-economic status, has access to higher education.

"The University of Winnipeg is proud to honour Tom Jackson with this award,” said University of Winnipeg President Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. “His dedication to humanitarian causes and strength of character epitomize the qualities we value and seek to recognize through our annual presentation of The Duff Roblin Award.”
The Duff Roblin Award is not the first honour bestowed on Jackson from The University of Winnipeg, as the University gave him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree in 1998.

Proceeds from the 2008 President’s Gala Dinner and gifts from individuals and organizations will go towards the Duff Roblin Scholars Fund. The Fund provides Graduate Fellowships in Aboriginal Governance at The University of Winnipeg and is set up to enhance educational opportunities for Manitoba's Aboriginal population and encourage Aboriginal students to obtain advanced degrees.

For more information on the President’s Gala Dinner please visit www.uwinnipegfoundation.ca.

– 30 –

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Shawn Coates, Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7126, C: 204.230.0202, E: s.coates@uwinnipeg.ca