Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Member Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

Apr 25, 2012

Peter Garrow Recognized for Educational AchievementsPeter Garrow, his wife Harriet and Canadian Senator Pierre Debané

On Tuesday April 17, 2012, Canadian Senator Pierre Debané presented Peter Garrow with the Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of Garrow’s achievements in Native Education. The citation read, “By Command of Her Majesty the Queen, the Diamond Jubilee Medal is presented to you in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession to the Throne and in recognition of your contributions to Canada.”

Peter Garrow continues to be a strong advocate for the rights of First Nations people, their concept of life long learning and promoter of our people’s contributions to society and the world. Peter is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, Bear Clan. He was the Director of Education, Jurisdiction, Governance and Languages for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for the past six years. Prior to this Peter was the Director of Education for the Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) for eight years. He has held senior executive positions within the Federal government in Ottawa and the Atlantic Region. His last official Federal position was the Federal representative for the relocation of the Mushuau Innu of Davis Inlet, Labrador.

As a Director with the AFN, Peter was responsible for the AFN Chiefs in Assembly endorsing new policies for the education of our learners: 1) New Education policy "First Nations Control of First Nations Education," 2) Post Secondary Education, "Taking Action for First Nations Post Secondary Education, Access, Opportunity and Outcomes - Discussion Paper,” 3) Endorsing the Canadian Council on Learning Report "Redefining How Success is Measured in First Nations, Inuit and Metis Learning,” and, 4) Report titled "Community Dialogues on First Nations Holistic Lifelong Learning.”

As Director of Education for AMBE, Peter and his team helped established Akwesasne as one of the most successful education systems in North America. Peter also conducted successful assessments and evaluations of the New Brunswick First Nations Education System, the National Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program and the Youth Component of the National Aboriginal Friendship Program. He developed and implemented the Mushuau Innu Governance and Administration Manual and the Ontario Band Operating Funding Formula Comparative Study for the Chiefs of Ontario.

And recently Peter continues as a champion for causes such as Shannen's Dream (Attawapiskat First Nation), Jordan's Principle (Child First vs. Who Pays) and the promotion and implementation of United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.

“I am proud to receive this distinction,” remarked Garrow. “And I share it with all First Nations educators who continue the challenge of life-long learning for all students.” Garrow received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1967. He currently serves as the Ethics Officer for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

For more information contact David T. Staddon, Director of Public Information at 518-358-2272 ext. 286.

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