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Their shared words and wisdom have opened a path toward reconciliation for students, staff and faculty at the ��ݮ����Ƶ����, and now, two Piikani elders are being honoured for their efforts by Canada’s Governor General.

On Wednesday, Governor General Mary Simon announced Elder Reg Crowshoe and Elder Rosemary Crowshoe are both appointed as in recognition of their commitment to the preservation of Blackfoot culture and reconciliation. The Crowshoes are among 10 Honorary Degree recipients, scholars, community supporters and philanthropists — all members of the ��ݮ����Ƶ���� community — newly appointed or promoted to the Order of Canada.

“The Order of Canada celebrates the lives, endeavours and successes of people from coast to coast to coast and from all walks of life,” said Simon in a release.

“Those being appointed today come from a variety of sectors, have achieved national and international success, and have shown ingenuity, innovation and generosity.”

Elder Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD’01, is a familiar face on campus, imparting history and wisdom as a public speaker and cultural adviser for ii ’taa’poh’to’p, ��ݮ����Ƶ����’s Indigenous Strategy. ��ݮ����Ƶ���� recognized his leadership more than 20 years ago when he was conferred with the honorary degree. He also served as a ��ݮ����Ƶ���� senator from 2016 to 2022.

A former chief and spiritual leader from Piikani First Nation in Southern Alberta, he is often joined by his wife, Rosemary, as they share ceremonial leadership, traditional knowledge and personal stories with the entire ��ݮ����Ƶ���� community.

“It’s a window into a culture, but it’s not the whole culture. There are different stories, interpretations and approaches for different nations, and even in my nation, but I want to share my knowledge on behalf of the university’s Indigenous Strategy,” is how Reg Crowshoe once described his commitment to knowledge sharing.

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest honours and more than 7,600 people have been invested into the Order since its creation in 1967.

Reg and Rosemary Crowshoe are among 85 new appointments and four promotions within the Order announced by the governor general’s office. Joining the Crowshoes are other members of the ��ݮ����Ƶ���� community:

Promotion to Companion

• Dr. Frank Hayden, PhD, Hon. LLD'11
• Dr. Peter H. Russell, PhD, Hon. LLD'90

Appointed as Officer

• Naomi Azrieli (Azreili Foundation)

Appointed as Member

• Dr. Frances Abele, PhD, BA'76
• Ajay K. Agrawal, Hon. LLD'21
• Rod McKay, supporter and community leader
• Dr. Lorraine Wright, PhD, professor emerita, Faculty of Nursing
• Dr. Janine "Jan" Zwicky, PhD, BA'76