Head and shoulders image of Rev. Ahab Spence, honourary Doctor of Laws degree recipient, likely taken at time of presentation.

Bio/Historical Note: Ahab Spence was born in 1911 at Split Lake, Manitoba. At the age of 10 he became a student at Mackay Indian Residential School at The Pas, Manitoba. He also attended school in Elkhorn, Manitoba, and Mortlach, Saskatchewan. He completed high school at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Dr. Spence graduated in theology from Emmanuel College, University of Saskatchewan, in 1937 and with a BA in 1952. From 1937-1965 he served as priest in many Indian and non-Indian parishes in Saskatchewan with the status of Canon from 1955 to 1959 and of Archdeacon from 1959 to 1963 in the Diocese of Saskatoon. Dr. Spence served as principal of Pelican Residential School in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and from 1963-1965 served as Supplementary Chaplain in the RCAF. In recognition of the outstanding contributions made to the Indian and non-Indian people he served during this phase of his life, the U of S in 1964 awarded him an honourary Doctor of Laws degree, the highest academic honour ever awarded to a Canadian Indian at that time. From 1965-1970, Dr. Spence began his "second career" as a public servant with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. In 1970, he worked for and became the president of the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood (from 1974-1976). He also taught Cree and Native Studies at Brandon University and established his reputation as a Cree translator. In 1982, in recognition of the contribution he had made to the social, cultural. spiritual and education lives of many Indian and non-Indian people, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. Dr. Spence began his "third career" at the age of 69 at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina in 1980 teaching Cree both on and off campus. From 1981-1985 Dr. Spence was head of the Indian Languages Department and encouraged the staff to produce textbooks and workbooks. In 1984 he was promoted to the rank of full Professor. Dr. Spence retired from SIFC in 1998 and was subsequently granted the title Professor Emeritus, University of Regina. He died in The Pas in 1991.