June 30, 2022

Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe honoured by Governor General for their commitment to preservation of Blackfoot culture and reconciliation

Crowshoes among 10 university faculty, alumni, HD recipients, and friends appointed or promoted to Order of Canada

Their shared words and wisdom have opened a path toward reconciliation for students, staff and faculty at the University of Calgary, 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 Members of the Order of Canada, 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 UCalgary 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.”

Rosemary and Reg Crowshoe take part in the recent opening of the new Indigenous Hub at University of Calgary’s Foothills campus.

Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office

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, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy. UCalgary recognized his leadership more than 20 years ago when he was conferred with the honorary degree. He also served as a UCalgary 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 UCalgary 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 UCalgary community:

Promotion to Companion