Environmental and Racial Justice Leader Named 2022/23 Ashley Fellow at Trent University
Thursday, December 12, 2022, Peterborough
Chúk Odenigbo, an equity leader at the forefront of racial and climate justice has been named the 2022/23 Ashley Fellow at Trent University.
Franco-Albertan from Calgary, Mr. Odenigbo is passionate about the interactions between culture, health and the environment. This passion has led him to his current role as founding director and director of Ancestral Services for Future Ancestors Services Inc., a youth-led, Indigenous and Black-owned, social enterprise that advances climate justice and equity.
“Chúk has received national recognition for his work as a sustainability leader, a changemaker, and a keen representative of the Francophone community in Canada. His visit provides incredible opportunities for students in all colleges to learn and engage with new ideas,” said Dr. Melanie Buddle, principal of Peter Gzowski College at Trent University.
Coming to campus from January 23 – February 3, 2023, Mr. Odenigbo will sit in on lectures, visit classrooms, and offer mentorship sessions for students. He will host a keynote address in Nozhem Theatre which is open to the public. Further details and registration information can be found online.
Beyond his work with Future Ancestors Services, Mr. Odenigbo is also co-founder of The Poison and The Apple, a bilingual non-profit organization that seeks to change the ways that Canadians interact with nature and make the outdoors diverse and welcoming spaces for all.
“An important quality for the Ashley Fellow to embody is a desire to learn and a passion to share knowledge,” said Dr. Christine Freeman-Roth, principal of Lady Eaton College at Trent University. “Through his research into medical geography, Chúk will be able to shed light on public health policies and strategies and is looking forward to learning more about Indigeneity and amplifying Black knowledge.”
Mr. Odenigbo enthusiastically welcomed the news of his appointment stating, “Quelle belle nouvelle! There is so much that can be done, and I am thrilled to have been selected.” He added, “If anyone is willing to teach me how to ice skate, I am absolutely in.”
Mr. Odenigbo is looking forward to leading discussions around the impact of linguistic justice on climate change and environmentalism; questions of race and equity; defining and valuing Black knowledge in the context of the spread of disease and public health; and environmental racism.
Posted on January 5, 2023