Announcing the Recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards & Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

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Can you describe what kula are and how they're used?

In certain forms, kula valuables can be general-purpose currencies. In the past, they could buy pigs, or canoes. You could buy rights to use land. The thing that makes them really unique to me is that each kula valuable has its own name. And when somebody receives a kula valuable, they etch their own name on its shell. So not only does the kula valuable have its own name, but it carries the name of every single person who's held it. So, it has a capacity - even though it's a currency that's transacted and buys things -of both personifying and objectifying a whole range of relationships, because everybody who's held it, their name is recorded. It elicits all these relationships between people, whereas money - cash money - is anonymous. There is no lasting relation that money creates. Every bill in my wallet means nothing to me. It can purchase things, but it doesn't signify any kind of relationship. Kula created this whole web of relationships that spans throughout Papua New Guinea's inter-island world and creates these enduring connections that are really meaningful and valuable.

Do you know how old the use of kula is?

We can only speculate. There's some archaeological research that approximates Kula started about 500 years ago. But how it would have looked 500 years ago would have been very different.

You've described kula exchange as type of ethos which informs behaviour. How do you think the use of currency in general does this?

The people I lived with in Papua New Guinea constantly refer to themselves as a kula people, and when hosting, they would make an effort to take care of guests and visitors, and make them feel cared for. And they would always use this one word to describe their efforts for these people - oboboma - which can translate to care, love, appreciation, blessing, generosity. That spirit of being kula people is performed by providing care and love to visitors. So, in the kula ethos - its ideal ethos - trade is predicated on care. It shouldn't be detached or utilitarian, or just growth for the sake of growth.

So it's trade-based but not necessarily capitalistic?

One researcher who wrote a lot about kula talked about it not being about accumulating assets, but building relationships -and through those relationships you can get things, but the relationships are what is important. It's a form of power. It's a way of projecting your power out into the world too. But you make yourself a powerful, respected, and influential person by developing this reputation for care and for nurturance that other people want.

Based on what you've observed in the field, what do you think we can learn about other systems of currency?

All currency, the value is really arbitrary - its value is what we give it. Even gold, which is always imagined as this stable currency, the continued extraction of gold is a big thing that keeps its value up. So, it gets made into a bar and is put in somebody's bank account to hedge against inflation. So even then, this thing that we're using because it's stable, it only has its value because we imagine it has value and just kind of reproduce the cycle. It's just like spinning in circles.

What draws you to this type of research?

What draws me to it is the engagement with difference and interest in understanding people on their own terms, not as we frame them. We're human beings and we can understand one another - we're the same species. I took an Anthropology 100 class in the first year of my undergrad with (lecturer) Charisma Thompon and really liked it. And then, in my second year, I took a class on the anthropology of language with Professor Susanne Kuehling - and that where I read my first ethnography, and just fell in love with the genre, the way of writing and thinking about the world. So full credit to Charisma Thomson and Susanne Kuehling for getting me into anthropology!

Kula shell valuable with names of bearers etched. Photo provided by Nathan McAllister

Nathan McAllister passed his viva voce (oral examination of his PhD thesis) on 15 January 2025 with no revisions. He is currently pursuing post doctoral research opportunities in Scotland.

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Pam Klein, B.A., M.Ed., Pro.Dir, has served as the University of Regina's ninth Chancellor since 2019. An active alumna within the university community for many years, Pam served a total of 12 years on the Board of Governors, as a board member, vice-chair and most recently as Chancellor.

Klein worked 26 years for Phoenix Group, a leading advertising and communications firm in Saskatchewan.  She was president for 16 years and 10 years prior as director of digital. As a strong business leader, Klein chairs the Inspiring Leadership Forum, an annual leadership development day hosted at the university featuring local and international female speakers making a difference in their professional fields. She also began Chancellor's Community, which sponsors a set of full-ride scholarships for new undergrads.

Klein spoke with Degrees about what she cherishes most from her past six years as chancellor. The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Your first interaction with the University of Regina was as a student. What did you study and when?

I studied psychology in the '80s. Then I went on to get my master's of educational psychology at the University of Manitoba. Throughout my career I've served on many boards. In 2013 I had the opportunity through government appointment to serve on the University's Board of Governors. I became vice-chair and decided to run for Senate as chancellor and fortunately I won. That was six years ago and it's about to come to an end. It's been amazing.

Can you tell me about the Senate and how it works?

As Chancellor I chaired the Senate, which is made up of approximately 110 members, including the minister and deputy minister of advanced education, representatives from professional and occupational organizations and alumni reps from across the province. The university president, vice-president, heads of federated and affiliated colleges, deans and academic directors and student reps are also part of Senate. We vote on academic matters that affect the school, like academic standards for students, establishment of schools, faculties and departments, admission requirements, etc.

Chancellor Pam Klein

Let's talk about the important roles you've played in university initiatives over the past six years. What have you enjoyed most about the Inspiring Leadership Forum (ILF)?

I've chaired the last six forums and have seen the attendance at these events quadruple. People are there at seven in the morning to get rush seats. The excitement is palpable. University staff work really hard to pull the event off and there are speakers from around the world. They are both young and senior leaders. Most share stories of resilience and speak about their personal and professional lives.

This past year we had Tantoo Cardinal, Jully Black, Dr. Roberta Bondar and Saskatchewan's own Rachel Meilke. Jully Black was dynamic, getting the audience up and speaking. I have received personal e-mails from people who attended who think the university is doing an exceptional job and admired the opportunity to be part of ILF.

You helped create the Chancellor's Community scholarships. Why has this initiative been so important to you?

I tried to get these scholarships going several years ago and it just didn't happen. But Dr. Keshen came on board, and we consulted staff and people in the community. The overall takeaway was that we needed to help students because they are the most important people at the university.

We give 14 undergraduate students $40,000 to complete their four-year education and we provide their first year of accommodation.  These are full scholarships based on their academic performance and community involvement. A fun highlight is that we go to the recipients' high schools to give them their awards. That is truly an amazing thing to see. We also give graduate students $25,000 each for their studies. All recipients get to know each other through Chancellor Community events and we invite donors on to campus to learn from different departments to see the power of research and the impact of their donations.

Chancellor's Community began in 2024, and we had 43 applications. This past year we had around 140 applications, so the word is getting out.

You've stood on many a stage to help students celebrate convocation. What do you take away from those moments?

I love the regality, the pomp and ceremony. People are in their regalia and there's many dignitaries. It's a special time for students because family, friends, deans and faculty are there. I enjoy admitting the students and also cloaking the honorary degree recipients. This year there are four: the Honourable Dr. Russ Mirasty, Dr. Jim Tompkins, Dr. Don Hall and former senator Dr. Lillian Eva Quan Dyck.

Overall convocation is a complete joy. I see the excitement on students' faces as they walk across the stage, knowing they've accomplished many things at the university.

What are you most proud of?

For sure the Chancellor's Community scholarships. I've also enjoyed working with a diverse, talented senior leadership team, which includes the Board and the Senate.

Is there a moment that stands out to you?

One of the PhD students from the Chancellor's Community came to me and said, 'This is such a good thing. When I'm able to I'm going to give you the money.' I thought it was amazing that they felt that desire to give back. I'm also blown away by the donors who made the scholarships possible.

What's been most rewarding for you in your work?

Seeing how the U of R staff give so wholeheartedly, through hardship and good times. They know the university so incredibly well. While it's been a privilege to be part of the Senate, who manage the academic piece and the Board, which looks after operations, to me the great reward is seeing how I can impact students at the university.

Chancellor Pam Klein surrounded by members of the University of Regina leadership team, cuts the 50th anniversary cake at the As One Who Serves 50th Anniversary Reception, October 2024.

What's next for you?

I'll continue to serve as the honorary chair of the Inspiring Leadership Forum and hope to see the Chancellor's Community carry on. Many of my board appointments end this year so I have time to figure out what my next step is. I know there is a next step and that's what I'm excited about.

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