John HerringtonRetired astronaut John Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, will discuss his journey to space Jan. 19.

Indigenous astronaut to share tale of journey

Retired aviator, engineer, and astronaut John Herrington will recount his educational and personal journey of leadership, persistence, and adversity in an online conversation Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m.

A member of the Chickasaw Nation, Dr. Herrington became the first member of a federally recognized tribe to travel to space. In 2002, he set off in the space shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station.

“From lift-off to completing three space walks, mission STS-113 was more exciting and challenging than I could have imagined,” he says.

His appearance is presented by the Turtle Island Aboriginal Education Centre, the St. Clair Student Representative Council and Indigenous Student Services, the Lambton College Indigenous Student Centre, Fanshawe College’s Institute of Indigenous Learning, and Western University’s Indigenous Student Centre to honour the heritage, history, and diversity of Indigenous peoples. Admission is free; register here to attend.