Shayne A. P. Dahl ’10, Master of Arts, Anthropology Graduate Program, Swift Current, SK

“The self-belief I developed at Trent has changed my life for the better.”

Mr. Shayne Dahl has been awarded the prestigious Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal for achieving the highest academic standing on graduation in the Master’s and Doctoral degree programs. He is also a father, mature student and an assistant Judo coach.

As an anthropology graduate student, Mr. Dahl has a particular research interest in ascetic and shamanistic groups.  As part of his doctorate studies, Shayne will conduct ethnographic research this summer in northern Japan to study mountain ascetics whose disciplined and restrictive way of life is devoted to cultivating Buddhist enlightenment.

He will continue to examine the more experiential aspects of human existence such as dreaming, religion and ethics through the lens of ethnographic research.   Shayne also worked with Trent Indigenous Studies faculty as he conducted research with members of the Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy of Alberta and northern Montana.

Throughout his graduate studies at Trent, Shayne has received many other awards and scholarships, including the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Master’s Scholarship. These awards recognize his stellar academic success and devotion to his work.

Ultimately Shayne hopes to be an anthropology professor and credits Trent and its professors for providing a dedicated and supportive learning environment that opened the door to limitless possibilities.

On winning the Governor-General’s Academic Gold Medal:
Receiving the Governor General's Gold Medal is the highest achievement of my career thus far. I was humbled and grateful to learn that the Department of Anthropology nominated me and absolutely elated when I learned that I had been selected. I don't view it as first place in a competition, though. It means much more to me than that.

I have had doubts in the back of my mind about the path I have chosen because it is long and arduous, especially with a family who depends on my success. Receiving the Governor General's Gold Medal is a strong confirmation for me that I am on the right path.

Now, I can look at all of the challenges ahead with resilience and optimism and more importantly, without any lingering doubt. This award has set me back on course and reignited my passion to learn.

How will you make a difference with your Trent degree?
I am just completing my first year of the socio-cultural anthropology PhD program at the University of Toronto. For my doctorate, I aim to conduct ethnographic research among mountain ascetics in northern Japan. This research will extend from my MA project because I will be looking at how religious experiences converge with an ethic of self-discipline.

What are you future goals?
My ultimate goal is to be a professor of anthropology. The kind of anthropology I plan to do bridges philosophical questions about human existence and experience with the empirical methods of ethnography.

What did you get out of your Trent degree? 
I came to Trent University determined to learn, but unaware of what kinds of sacrifices knowledge demands. I have never worked harder for something than I did for my degree at Trent. I learned what I am capable of when I devote my mind, body, and spirit to a cause. The self-belief I developed at Trent has changed my life for the better in many respects.

Trent University provided the biggest stepping-stone of my life so far. It has opened up more opportunities for me than I thought possible when I first arrived and I am sincerely grateful.

Why did you choose Trent?
I researched anthropology graduate programs across Canada and the United States from 2008-2009 and Trent University was my first choice. This is mostly because of early correspondence with my supervisor, Professor Roger Ivar Lohmann, of the Department of Anthropology.

Given that I planned to conduct ethnographic research among the Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy in southern Alberta, I was also enthusiastic about establishing interdisciplinary connections with the Indigenous Studies faculty at Trent University. I was very excited when Professor David Newhouse, Chair of Indigenous Studies, agreed to be on my supervisory committee. 

What is the best thing about studying at Trent?
There are three interrelated aspects of Trent University that I admire most: the quality of education offered, the community, and the natural surroundings of the Peterborough campus. It’s difficult to separate the first two especially because education is most effective, for me at least, when it takes place in a community setting.

Camaraderie with my cohort and teammates in Judo, along with a strong rapport between me and Professor Lohmann and other instructors, laid the foundation for a uniquely productive learning environment. I had multiple forms of community support. Trent offers a holistic education for those willing.

Can you give an example of how Trent professors had a special impact?
Since I began in 2010, Professor Lohmann has put a tremendous amount of effort into my education. I would not have won the Governor General’s Gold Medal if it wasn’t for his outstanding supervision. Professor Lohmann’s expertise in the anthropology of religion and dreaming, as well as his focus on “big questions,’’ have strongly influenced my perspective and approach. He taught me that dreams are a locus of religious experience in many societies around the world.

Professor Lohmann and Professor Newhouse along with other supervisory committee members and graduate faculty in the department of anthropology helped me to realize the full potential of the ethnographic data I gathered.

Professor Lohmann is the most accessible and helpful professor I have ever encountered. He made sacrifices and devoted a great deal of his time and energy into my education. He co-authored one book chapter and one journal article with me. We also co-organized and co-chaired a conference session together and have plans to work together in the future. All of this was by his initiative.

Research Interests/Areas of Study
Although I consider all ethnographic contexts in my research, I am presently centered in two general regions: Native North America and Japan. I have worked most closely with members of the Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which covers southern Alberta and northern Montana, but will begin conducting research in northern Japan in August, 2013.

My theoretical interests include cultural ontology (how societies construct reality and selfhood) and epistemology (how societies create, discern, and share knowledge) as well as religion and dreaming. More particularly, I am interested in the convergence of ethical practice and religious experience in ascetic and shamanistic contexts.

Extracurricular activities:
I served as an assistant coach for the Trent University Judo Club from January 2011-June 2012. Coaching under Sensei Tomoyoshi Hino, a highly accomplished coach and international referee, had a remarkable impact on me during my graduate studies. Judo and Sensei Hino’s mentoring kept me strong and determined during the most stressful times of the research process. The Trent Judo Club community is very welcoming, supportive, and motivational. Sensei Hino knows how to cultivate the “never say die” attitude among his team.

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Governor General’s Gold Medal (Master’s level)
• SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Master’s Scholarship (May 2011-April 2012)
• Sandi Carr Anthropology Scholarship  (Sept. 2011)
• International Association for the Study of Dreaming Research Grant Finalist (Dec. 2011)
• Graduate Fellowship (Sept. 2010)