Universities weighing call from Indigenous women's group to revoke Turpel-Lafond's honorary degrees

Some universities say they are considering a request from a group called the Indigenous Women's Collective to revoke honorary degrees granted to high-profile academic and former judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

On Tuesday the group, which includes Lillian Dyck, the first woman of First Nations ancestry to serve in Canada's Senate, issued the call to about a dozen universities that have bestowed the honours on Turpel-Lafond.

Three weeks ago, CBC published a story about Turpel-Lafond, who for decades has claimed to be a treaty Indian of Cree ancestry.

A CBC Investigation found that her claims did not match publicly available records.

Since publication, Turpel-Lafond has not contradicted any fact outlined in CBC's investigation, nor has she offered any evidence that she is in fact a treaty Indian or that she has Cree ancestry.

In a statement released Oct. 14, she said she believes her dad was adopted from a Cree family in Norway House, Man. by her non-Indigenous grandparents. She also said "I have never been awarded a position on an affirmative action basis."

The Indigenous Women's Collective which formed after the story published, says Turpel Lafond's illustrious career was "inextricably linked and founded upon a story of Indigenous identity, marginalization and historic trauma; a story Ms. Turpel-Lafond refuses to verify."

In light of that the group, made up of Indigenous women from a wide range of backgrounds, is calling on all Canadian universities that have granted her honorary doctorates to revoke them.

"Granting an honorary doctorate to a pretendian [pretend Indian] advances the colonial notion that a Caucasian person impersonating Indigeneity is a worthy and suitable candidate," the statement says. "It also applauds the stolen valour of Indigenous women who have struggled for their achievements and become champions and voices for their people."

According to Turpel-Lafond's CV and a search of publicly available records, she has been granted honorary degrees (LL.D.) from 12 universities, including First Nations University of Canada, the University of Regina, Mount Saint Vincent University, Thompson Rivers University, Brock University, Vancouver Island University, Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, McGill University, Simon Fraser University, St. Thomas University, Royal Roads University and Carleton University.

In an email, First Nations University of Canada told CBC it has never granted any honorary degrees in its 46-year history.

"Any mention of receiving an honorary degree or award from FNUniv is erroneous," the statement said.

The rest of the universities released statements indicating they are looking into the matter.

"We are aware of the concerns raised and are reviewing the information as it comes available to determine next steps," said TRU.

"As an institution committed to evidence-based practice, we will be taking the necessary time to follow proper governance, consult with Indigenous partners, and carefully evaluate all the ethical considerations pertaining to this matter," said VIU.

"As an institution committed to reconciliation and cultural safety, we will be taking time to consult with Indigenous partners, thoroughly evaluate all ethical considerations and information, and determine if there are additional steps that must be taken," said SFU.

"At this time, the University of Regina is conducting its due diligence by gathering information in order to properly evaluate the situation. Any decision would need to be made within the processes outlined in the University's Senate By-Laws," said the U of R.

"We respectfully acknowledge the concerns being raised and we will review them with appropriate care and attention. Consistent with our commitment to truth and reconciliation, this will include consultation with Indigenous colleagues and other members of our community," said Royal Roads University.

"Brock is aware of recent media reports regarding Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond and is reviewing information as it is made available. As an institution committed to decolonization and reconciliation, Brock will consult with the Indigenous community as it conducts its due diligence to determine any additional next steps," said Brock University.

"York understands the seriousness of this matter and remains open to hearing Indigenous voices and perspectives about this complex issue. York is carefully considering our next steps in accordance with our polices and values," said York University.

"The Joint Board-Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees will review documents related to the matter and any other information that becomes available. As part of this process, it will consult with the university's Endowed Chair in Native Studies and Elder in Residence. Based on this review, the committee will in due course make a recommendation to the Board of Governors. It is expected that the committee will reach out to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to offer her the opportunity to address the matters that have been raised," said St. Thomas University.

"We are bringing this matter forward for discussion, beginning with discussions with the L'nu Advisory Circle at MSVU which provides guidance to the university on Indigenous matters and includes a number of Indigenous community leaders," said Mount Saint Vincent University.

"McGill University has been made aware of concerns associated with the 2014 granting of an honorary degree (LL.D.) to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. The University is carefully reviewing and will be deciding upon the matter in accordance with its policies and processes," said McGill University.

"The university is aware that concerns have been raised and will take the necessary time to evaluate, review and consult on the matter," said Carleton University.

Read the Indigenous Women's Collective's statement here:

'There has to be some kind of sanction': Dyck

Retired senator Lillian Dyck, who has also worked as a professor in the University of Saskatchewan's neuropsychiatry research unit, said these universities face a stark choice.

"It's like a student being caught cheating. What do you do? There has to be some kind of sanction," said Dyck who is one of the women speaking on behalf of the collective. "And the way that universities can sanction is to take away an honorary degree."

Dyck acknowledged that such a move would be a "big step."

"Do they have the guts to do it?" she asked.

Dyck said she understands the fear that can come with acting against such a prominent person, and feels it herself even though she's a retired senator who was just recently awarded the Order of Canada.

"It is a bit frightening to challenge someone like this publicly because you're afraid of what's going to happen to you, because people are going to say to you, 'What's the matter with you Lillian? Why can't you just leave it be? She's done such amazingly good things.'"

Dyck said she can't let this go because it appears that Turpel-Lafond has built a career claiming to be something she's not.

"She herself is not willing to show any proof that she is actually Indigenous, and I think the balance of probabilities certainly does show that she's not Indigenous — she's [of] European ancestry," said Dyck.

"What she did wasn't right.… She has not behaved honourably. So should she have that honorary degree? No." 

Dyck said these universities have some soul searching to do as they consider their responses, because the rest of the country will be watching.

She said universities are "considered the bastions of high academic standards and ethics and integrity and fairness and justice and so on."

But, she said, if they do nothing, "it makes that honorary degree look less than it should."