Elder will be among those honored by Trent

Michael Thrasher will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University for contributions in creating a climate of respect for Indigenous and Traditional knowledge in Canada and internationally.

Thrasher, an Elder of the Turtle Clan, is a nationally recognized teacher of First Nations philosophy, tradition, and knowledge.

“I’d like to accept this honour on behalf of all those who have come before. The countless numbers of Elders and traditional knowledge holders who have sacrificed so much over so many years to keep this body of knowledge alive, which I now have the privilege of sharing with others. It is a privilege to be considered worthy of receiving such an honour,” he said.

As part of the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge, Trent University, which launched Canada’s first Native Studies program in Canada, broke new ground investigating how Indigenous knowledge could be integrated into the university landscape.

Trent invited a number of Elders, including Thrasher, as wascapeos (helper/apprentice), to spend time with students and explore the opportunity.

This effort resulted in the very first Elders Conference, now an annual event at Trent, which Elder Thrasher participates in each year.

Throughout his career, Thrasher has dedicated his life to teaching and sharing Indigenous ways of knowing, meeting with countless numbers of Aboriginal peoples, First Nation communities, organizations, and institutions to foster healing and reconciliation.

He is widely recognized for his ability to utilize traditional Indigenous knowledge to address contemporary issues. He has given lectures and taught courses on the topic and has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students across Canada, including a number of doctoral candidates at Trent.

As a valued Elder and colleague with the now called Indigenous Studies program at Trent, Thrasher has been instrumental in bringing the original vision to fruition, integrating traditional knowledge into the university through the development of initiatives such as the PhD program, another first in Canada.

Thrasher is among five people to receive honorary degrees at Trent during the university’s 2015 convocation. The others are Degrassi producer Stephen Stohn, filmmaker Peter Raymont, naturalist Drew Monkman, and child care advocate Martha Friendly.

“Each year, Trent recognizes a group of inspiring individuals with the university’s highest honour: an honorary doctorate. This year continues that tradition,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor at Trent University.

“At our upcoming ceremonies we pay tribute to five individuals who have made long-lasting contributions to our local, national and global communities in the fields of child care, film, music, the environment and Indigenous studies.”