Wilton Littlechild, a lawyer, Cree chief and former Member of Parliament, is among 11 luminaries who will receive honorary degrees from the University of Toronto this year and will address graduating students at convocation ceremonies in the spring or fall.
Littlechild, who was nominated for the honour by Gretchen Kerr, a professor and dean in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was recognized for his inspirational and transformative advocacy of Indigenous rights and human rights.
“On behalf of our Faculty, I am delighted that Wilton Littlechild will be recognized with this honour. It is so well deserved. His role in advocating for Indigenous rights and, in particular, the process of reconciliation through sport and physical activity has been so valuable.
“When we released the Faculty’s academic plan in 2022, we called it Transformation in Motion in part because it recognizes the power of sport and physical activity to transform the lives of individuals, communities, society and the environment.
“The life and career of Wilton Littlechild is a true testament to that and we’re very proud to see him included among this group of remarkable change-makers and leaders.”
An athlete who dedicated his career to improving the lives of Indigenous communities, Littlechild was a driving force for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations, a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and one of the founders of the North American Indigenous Games and World Indigenous Nations Games.
Littlechild joins such luminaries as Rosemary Sadlier, a fearless advocate of anti-racism who helped establish Black History Month, and Sarah Polley, an Academy Award winner who has used her platform to speak up about inequities in the entertainment industry.
“The dedication, vision and generosity of these extraordinary leaders are an inspiration to all members of the University of Toronto community," said U of T President Meric Gertler in a statement for U of T News.
“I'm looking forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements at our convocation ceremonies this year.”