Former chief of Curve Lake First Nation and Trent honorary degree recipient, Dr. Keith Knott, has been named to the Order of Canada for his cultural vision and civic leadership of the Anishinaabe community of Curve Lake First Nation.

In speaking of the recognition, Dr. Knott remarked “It's a great honour — something I never expected.”

Dr. Knott has been instrumental in many accomplishments that improved the physical, business, and spiritual aspects of the local Curve Lake community. Thanks to Dr. Knott’s efforts, the community has also experienced a significant reduction in the drop-out rate of secondary students, and increase in post-secondary enrolment.

In 1964, Dr. Knott led a delegation from Curve Lake to the newly opened Trent University, becoming the first official meeting for the president of the brand new institution. Since that initial meeting, Dr. Knott and Curve Lake have remained true friends of the University. Dr. Knott assisted in the planning and execution of the 2018 Great Walk to Curve Lake, has presided over many Trent events offering a welcome to the Territory, and has offered guidance and advice. He received the Trent University Civic and Community Leadership Award in 2007, and was presented with an honorary degree – the University’s highest honour – in 2017.