More universities reviewing honorary degrees given to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

Six out of 10 universities confirm they’re reviewing honorary degrees given to retired judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, after being asked by a group of Indigenous women to revoke them following a CBC investigation into her claims of Indigenous heritage.

The honours should be withdrawn because the former B.C. representative for children and youth “stole” the identity and lived experiences of Indigenous women, said a statement from the Indigenous Women’s Collective.

The University of Regina along with McGill, Brock, Royal Roads, St. Thomas and Mount Saint Vincent universities all say they’ve been looking into the situation.

Their statements Wednesday came the day after Vancouver Island University announced Turpel-Lafond had returned her 2013 honorary degree. The school had told her it was under review due to requests from the collective and members of the university community.

Carleton, Simon Fraser, Thompson Rivers and York universities did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.