Recipients

Joy Romero - Honorary Doctor of Science

Joy Romero has devoted her career to fostering access, opportunity, and innovation to improve the lives of others. With an outstanding career in technology and innovation, she demonstrates an enduring commitment to promote access to post-secondary education for non-traditional learners and opportunities in science education and research for everyone.

Educated as a metallurgist, as an engineer, businesswomen, and senior executive she understands that access and opportunity in education changes lives.

When she was earning her engineering degree, she was one of very few women who were pursuing careers in the sciences. The idea of inclusion, for Romero, goes far beyond any one group. Rather, she said it’s crucial to understand where people are coming from and providing them with the right opportunities.

"We need to build the pathways so nobody’s excluded. I’ve always tried to reach total populations, whole populations who are interested in STEM."

Cadmus Delorme - Honorary Doctor of Laws

Cadmus Delorme has devoted his life to growing access, opportunity and community by reducing barriers to post-secondary education for Indigenous students, and fostering authentic respect and collaboration through mutual understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. His is a voice that is truly national and truly influential.

As an undergraduate student at First Nations University, and president of its students’ union, Delorme became a national voice for Indigenous post-secondary education, advocating for the restoration of permanent national and provincial funding for the university. Thanks to his efforts and those of his student peers, the university continues today to provide accessible post-secondary education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

After completing his master of public policy degree from the University of Regina, Delorme served as Chief of Cowessess First Nation from 2016-2023. His focus was building community through strengthening Indigenous governance, improving child welfare services, guiding the First Nation to equity partnerships in two major renewable energy projects, increasing agricultural capacity, and many cultural rejuvenation projects.

Crucially, in 2023, Delorme became a national leader in Truth and Reconciliation, when he announced the tragic discovery of 750 unmarked graves on Cowessess First Nation at the former site of the Marieval Indian Residential School site. His words captured the attention of Canadians and the pressing need for reconciliation.

"All we ask of all of you listening is that you stand by us as we heal, and we get stronger, and that we must all put down our ignorance and accidental racism of not addressing the truth that his country has with Indigenous people. We are not asking for pity, but we are asking for understanding, and this country must stand by us."