From Toronto District School Board
On June 26, Saugeen First Nation Elder Dr. Duke Redbird was appointed to the Order of Canada as an officer.
Redbird is a multidisciplinary artist, public speaker and cultural thought leader whose work spans more than six decades. As a thought leader and visionary, Redbird has played a role in bringing Indigenous knowledge systems into Canadian classrooms.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” says 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 Toronto District School Board and is currently both an Elder and artist-in-residence at the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, helping shape culturally informed curricula. In 2025, 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.