Selkirk College is proud to announce Dr. Myler Wilkinson as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Educator Award.
Wilkinson, who passed away in 2020, devoted over twenty-five years to Selkirk College as an educator in English and Peace Studies, an advocate and a community builder. Together with his spouse, retired international education faculty member Linda Wlasoff Wilkinson, he played a foundational role in establishing the Mir Centre for Peace. This unique institution remains an integral part of Selkirk College and stands as a lasting testament to the Wilkinsons’ vision and leadership.
“Myler promoted peace and social justice, fostering reconciliation in his community and creating learning opportunities for students and the public,” says Duff Sutherland, retired chair of the School of University Arts and Sciences and history instructor. “He excelled as a teacher and scholar of Russian, Canadian, American and Doukhobor studies, dedicating his work to intercultural communication, traditions of pacifism and non-violent resistance.”
A prize winning author and editor, Wilkinson contributed a rich body of scholarly and creative work. His short story, "The Blood of Slaves," inspired by the life of Russian writer Anton Chekhov, earned the Fiddlehead Literary Journal’s Best Short Fiction award in 2014. His works include “A Brief Narrative History of the Mir Centre” (Fall, 2006), “Being on the Land: Histories at the Confluence” (June 19, 2007), and, with Duff Sutherland, “From Our Side We Will be Good Neighbours to them: Doukhobor-Sinixt Relations at the Confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers in the early 20th Century.” His published work reflects a deep engagement with transnational literary dialogue, nuanced understanding of influence and creativity, and commitment to scholarship that bridges cultures and traditions.
Wilkinson embodied the highest ideals of teaching, scholarship, mentorship and collegial leadership at Selkirk College. His vision lives on in all those who come together to learn, share ideas and build cultures of peace.