A first nation artist with a world vision

“It came as an absolute surprise,” said Sandra Laronde, when asked about her nomination for an honorary degree at Trent University’s upcoming graduation ceremony June 1.

Laronde, who is Teme-Augama Anishnabe of the Temagami Nation in Ontario, said she is doubly honored to be one of five distinguished Canadians selected for this degree, and to give the keynote speech to the graduating class.

Although a graduate of the University of Toronto, Laronde said “I have developed a special affinity to Trent University because of its Aboriginal programs.”

Trent is the first university in North America to establish a department dedicated to Aboriginal people. It began with Indian-Eskimo studies in 1969 and evolved into the Department of Indigenous Studies in 2006. This department includes not only a PhD program, but innovative and trail blazing programs for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.