Indigenous Honorary Doctorates

In recognition of exceptional service, achievement, and distinction, The University of Winnipeg presents Honorary Doctor of Laws and Honorary Doctor of Letters to select individuals twice annually at Convocation (autumn and spring).

In alphabetical order:

Ida Bear, Hon. PhD - Indigenous language educator and advocate

Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Hon. PhD - children, youth and family advocate

Annie Boulanger, Hon. PhD - Indigenous language educator and advocate

Maria Campbell, Hon. PhD - activist, educator, and writer

Tantoo Cardinal, Hon. PhD - actor

David Chartrand, Hon. PhD - President of the Manitoba Métis Federation

Ruth Christie, Hon. PhD - community-based scholar, knowledge keeper, and storyteller

Sheila Watt Cloutier, Hon. PhD - environmental activist and ambassador for the North

Dave Courchene, Hon. PhD - Elder and knowledge keeper devoted to environmental stewardship

Lorraine Coutu-Lavallee, June Bruce, and Agathe Chartrand (Special) - knowledge keepers

Olive Dickason, Hon. PhD - journalist, scholar, and Elder

Georges Erasmus, Hon. PhD - former National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Phil Fontaine, Hon. PhD - former National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Elijah Harper, Hon. PhD - first elected First Nation member of the Manitoba Legislature

Tomson Highway, Hon. PhD - award-winning author, playwright

Josie Hill, Hon. PhD - community activist

Tom Jackson, Hon. PhD- entertainer and philanthropist

Tobasonakwut Kinew, Hon. PhD - teacher and Elder

Albert McLeod, Hon. PhD - community organizer, educator, and Elder

Murray Sinclair, Hon. PhD - Manitoba's first Aboriginal judge and Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Canadian Senator

Leslie Spillett, Hon. PhD - activist and advocate

Alejandro Toledo, Hon. PhD - Indigenous leader and former President of Peru

Dr. Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Hon. PhD - leader in Indigenous Education theory and practice