Prince George, B.C. – The First Nations Centre Research Studio at the University of Northern British Columbia has been re-named after the late Edith (Edie) Frederick, a beloved and respected Lheidli T’enneh Elder whose passion for preserving the Dakelh (Carrier) language and culture has left a lasting imprint on UNBC.

Family members of Edie Frederick joined with members of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and students, faculty and staff at UNBC’s Prince George campus on Nov. 24 for a ribbon-cutting in the Edie Frederick Indigenous Research Studio, to celebrate her impactful contributions to the University and broader community.

“It is so special to see this space named in honour of my mother,” said Jason Frederick, speaking on behalf of the Frederick family. “She cared deeply about sharing language, stories and traditional skills so others could learn them. This studio will continue that spirit of connection, learning and cultural exchange.”

As UNBC’s first Elder in Residence, Edie supported countless students, faculty and staff in learning from Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being. 

“Edie was a teacher, a language keeper and a bridge between generations,” said Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Dolleen Logan. “She helped ensure that Dakelh culture and knowledge have a place at UNBC. This re-naming honours not only Edie’s memory, but also our shared responsibility to carry her teachings forward.”

The Lheidli T’enneh Elder’s leadership and wisdom helped shape UNBC’s efforts to meaningfully enact Reconciliation and advance Indigenization across the Prince George campus.

Among her many contributions, Edie was played a central role in providing Dakelh translations and names for the University and important campus spaces. She was part of the group that offered the Dakelh name for the University of Northern British Columbia — Nizdeh Nekeyoh Hohudel’eh Baiyoh (House of Learning) — and she personally chose the name Tseba (by the fire) for The Firepit in the Agora Courtyard.

“Through sharing her passion for language and culture preservation and revitalization, Edie’s contributions are woven into the fabric of the campus,” said UNBC Interim President Dr. Bill Owen. “Her guidance and generosity of spirit will have a lasting impact on the University community. This space stands as a tribute to her profound contributions and the values she embodied.”

Edie’s commitment to experiential learning was equally profound. Through courses co-taught with other knowledge holders, she fostered hands-on engagement with cultural practices and deep respect for the land and its teachings. In addition to helping students construct a traditional Dakelh pit house, she worked side by side with her husband Robert Frederick to offer students the unique opportunity to build a cottonwood dugout canoe.

“The studio embodies the kind of space Edie helped cultivate – one grounded in respect, reciprocity and community,” said UNBC Interim Associate Vice-President Indigenous Penína Sara-Lynn Harding. “The Edie Frederick Indigenous Research Studio is a small way to acknowledge her lasting legacy at the First Nations Centre and UNBC.”

An engraved wooden plaque highlighting some of Edie’s many contributions will remain on display in the studio alongside her portrait. 

UNBC held another special event on Nov. 25 to unveil a plaque honouring the late Sophie Thomas in Lhuhuhwhezdel: The Gathering Place. A prominent knowledge keeper and medicine woman from the Saik’uz First Nation, the plaque was mounted beneath her portrait which has long graced the space. Sophie was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree posthumously from UNBC in May 2010.