A Blackfoot elder from southern Alberta is one of 39 people who will be invested into the Order of Canada on Wednesday, May 8.
Leroy Little Bear will be invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada by Governor General Julie Payette during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Grounded in learning and wisdom, Leroy Little Bear champions Indigenous perspectives and traditions.
A Blackfoot scholar, he advocates for Indigenous peoples’ access to education, notably as the founder of pioneering native studies programs at the University of Lethbridge and Harvard University.
More recently, Little Bear and his wife were instrumental in the signing of the Buffalo Treaty, which aims to revitalize Plains Indian culture.
Little Bear also pushed for the recognition and protection of Indigenous rights by the United Nations and under the Canadian constitution.
A beloved mentor, Little Bear has inspired generations of students including those at W.A. Day school in Fort Macleod.
The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
Close to 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.
Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada.
Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the advisory council for the Order of Canada.
Leroy Little Bear
