In Memoriam: Dr. Peter Nunoda

Vancouver Community College (VCC) is saddened to learn of the passing of former President, Dr. Peter Nunoda. 

With over 30 years of academic leadership experience, Dr. Nunoda served as VCC President and CEO from 2014 to 2019. 

Some of Dr. Nunoda’s points of pride while at VCC were the college’s 50th Anniversary campaign, We Built This City, and the implementation of the Gladue writing program. The first of its kind in Canada, VCC’s Gladue Writing Certificate program was developed to meet the needs of Indigenous people in federal custody. 

“The needs and advocacy of First Nations peoples was important to Peter, as an academic and as a person. He contributed so much to the greater post-secondary landscape, all across Canada,” says Ajay Patel, VCC’s President and CEO. “This sad news is a reminder of how precious life is, and that we should live it to its fullest, just like Peter did.”

Originally from London, Ontario, Dr. Nunoda earned his B.A. in Honours History from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds an M.A. in History from the University of Windsor, and obtained his Ph.D. in History from the University of Manitoba. 

From 2007-2011, Dr. Nunoda was the Dean of Faculty of Health at the University College of the North. Before that position, he served as the Director of Access Programs and Program Director for Aboriginal Focus Programs at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Nunoda was also an instructor in the Departments of History and Native Studies for 12 years at the University of Manitoba, where he conducted research projects on various topics, including Aboriginal health education and Aboriginal student retention. His subject matter expertise in Aboriginal health also led him to a position with the Indigenous Health Unit at James Cook University in Australia.

Dr. Nunoda moved on from his role at VCC in 2019 to become the President at Red Deer College in Alberta, where he led the transition of the college to Red Deer Polytechnic. He then moved to Manitoba Building Trades Institute as their Executive Director.

The VCC flag will be lowered to half-mast from May 30 - June 5, 2023, in remembrance of Dr. Peter Nunoda and his many contributions to the VCC community.

In lieu of flowers, the Nunoda family has asked donations to be made to Diabetes Canada.

Watch Dr. Nunoda get his feet wet at VCC for the ALS ice bucket challenge