Last autumn, CBC published an investigation that cast doubt on Ms Turpel-Lafonds’ claims of Aboriginal descent. As a result of that report, the Aboriginal Women’s Collective and other groups across the country called on all universities that had awarded her honorary degrees to revoke them.
McGill University said it had informed Ms Turpel-Lafond of its decision, which was based on a recommendation from the university’s Honorary Degrees and Call-Up Committee following a review process conducted by a subcommittee.
Based on its work, the subcommittee found evidence that challenged the validity of the academic credentials and achievements contained in Ms Turpel-Lafond’s CV. He also acknowledged that his claims about his “Indian status” were the subject of significant scrutiny, McGill said in an email to CBC.
For its part, Carleton University has commented on its decision in a public statement. The Senate Honors Committee’s recommendation followed a process that included consultations with the university’s Indigenous Education Council and a careful review of all publicly available information, the statement said.
“Evidence that has emerged about disputed claims to both Indigenous identity and academic credentials has been deemed more important than the achievements that originally justified the award of the degree. »
— A quote from McGill University
Ms. Turpel-Lafond has received honorary degrees from 11 Canadian universities. All said they would heed calls from the Indigenous Women’s Collective to end these distinctions. Earlier this month, the University of Regina announced that it had revoked the honorary doctorate in law it bestowed on Ms. Turpel-Lafond in 2003. It was the first time an academic institution had revoked a degree.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond received her 12th honorary doctorate in November 2019 in a ceremony at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Photo: HSS Association/YouTube
Appeal to the Governor General of Canada
Ms. Turpel-Lafond has also voluntarily returned honorary degrees from Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, and Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia.
However, the Indigenous Women’s Collective added that the decision by the two Vancouver Island universities to accept the voluntary return of the scholarships was a mistake as they failed to respect academic integrity by blaming Ms. Turpel-Lafond for her actions .
On the other hand, in a statement issued earlier this month, the collective wanted to applaud the University of Regina’s determined action. We applaud the University of Regina for their courage and commitment to upholding academic integrity, exposing Indigenous identity fraud and acting in a spirit of truth and reconciliation, read the press release.
The collective also called on the Governor General of Canada to revoke the Order of Canada bestowed on Ms. Turpel-Lafond in December 2021.
In light of Ms. Turpel-Lafond’s continued refusal to provide reasonable explanations for refuted child welfare claims, we call on the Governor General of Canada to speak out against Indigenous identity theft and revoke the Order of Canada bestowed on Ms. Turpel-Lafond, the statement underlines .
With information from CBC