On Friday, June 26, the Government of Canada announced that Elder Dr. Duke Redbird was appointed to the Order of Canada as an Officer (O.C.) for being a defining voice in Indigenous arts and thought for over sixty years.
A member and an Elder of the Saugeen First Nation, Dr. Redbird is a multidisciplinary artist, public speaker, and cultural thought leader whose work spans over six decades. As a thought leader and visionary, Dr. Redbird has played a critical role in bringing Indigenous knowledge systems into Canadian classrooms.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Redbird. “I accept it not only on my own behalf, but in recognition of the Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, artists, and communities who have guided and inspired me throughout my journey. My life’s work has been dedicated to building understanding through education, culture, and the sharing of Indigenous ways of knowing. I remain committed to supporting future generations as they carry this work forward.”
Since 2014, he has served as Indigenous Arts Consultant to the TDSB and is currently both an Elder and Artist in Residence at the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, helping shape culturally informed cirricula. In 2025, Elder Dr. Redbird served as Elder for Waves, an initiative of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages supporting the revitalization of Indigenous languages across Canada.
Through poetry, painting, teaching, and public speaking, he brings an Indigenous perspective to urgent issues such as climate change, education reform, media representation, and spiritual resurgence. Rooted in tradition and reaching toward the future, his voice continues to shape Canada’s cultural landscape.