Maurice Switzer '64

Journalist, Educator

Mr. Switzer, Zhgaag dodem (Skunk Clan), Alderville First Nation, has Mississauga, Haudenosaunee, and Jewish ancestry and was the first Indigenous student to attend Trent University. He has served as Director of Communications for the Assembly of First Nations and the Union of Ontario Indians, and was on faculty at First Nations Technical Institute, Canadore College, Huntington University, and the Aboriginal Leadership Program at the Banff Centre. A journalist since 1965, he served as editor and publisher of seven newspapers. He is a member of the Nipissing District Human Rights Hall of Fame and 2010 recipient of an Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rosemarie Kuptana

Inuit Activist, Honorary Trent Degree Recipient

Ms. Kuptana became involved in Inuit rights issues in 1975 at a time when discussions regarding Inuit land rights between Inuit and the Government of Canada were taking place. In 1979, She has worked for CBC and is former President of Inuit Broadcasting. Ms. Kuptana has served as Canadian Vice-president for the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, and President of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada where she led negotiations seeking recognition of the inherent right of self-government of indigenous peoples and came close to winning. In 1995-1996, Ms. Kuptana was President of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and helped establish the Arctic Council. Ms. Kuptana has received many awards for her service in the protection of Inuit culture and Inuit rights from a holistic Inuit perspective. She was instrumental in ensuring that the Migratory Convention Act 1995 was passed.  In the last 10 years, Ms. Kuptana worked on the Inuit Residential School experience and ensured that Inuvialuit received compensation. As well, Ms. Kuptana has written articles and worked on the emergent issue of Arctic Sovereignty and Security. (The Inuit Sea)

Wanda Nanibush '96

Curator, Artist, Author

Wanda Nanibush is an Anishinabe-kwe image and word warrior, curator, arts consultant, professor and grassroots organizer from Beausoleil First Nation. Nanibush is currently content researcher and programming advisor for the Art Gallery of Ontario and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto teaching Residential Schools: Truth, Trauma, Reconciliation. Her exhibition KWE the work of Rebecca Belmore is up until August 9 at the Justina M Barnicke gallery. Nanibush was the 2013 Dame Nita Barrow Distinguished Visitor at University of Toronto. She is also Curator in Residence at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and has over 15 years’ experience in the arts sector of Canada. She has been published in many books and magazines, with a focus on indigenous rights and culture.

Gary Potts

Former Chief of Temagami First Nation,

Honorary Degree Recipient Trent University

Gary Potts was the former chief of the Temagami First Nation and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai in Temagami, Ontario, Canada. He was a leader of the Red Squirrel Road blockades in 1988-1989, which were a part of Temagami's struggle to protect their ancestral lands.

Russell Diabo '77

Policy Advisor, Algonquin Nation Secretariat; Publisher, "First Nations Strategic Bulletin"

Russell Diabo is Policy Advisor to the Algonquin Nation Secretariat, a Tribal Council and Senior Policy Advisor to the Algonquin Wolf Lake First Nation he is also Editor and Publisher of an online newsletter on First Nations political and legal issues the First Nations Strategic Bulletin. Mr. Diabo is a member of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, Quebec, and has been an activist on First Nation issues since the age of 16 and is part of the Defenders of the Land Network. He works closely with Idle No More under a joint agreement between these two groups to work together on Sovereignty Summer.