Dr. Hayden King receives Governor General Meritorious Service Decoration
The Office of the Governor General of Canada has awarded Dr. Hayden King, a distinguished advocate for Indigenous rights and language, with one of Canada’s highest honours, the Meritorious Service Medal (external link) (Civil Division). This prestigious decoration is part of the civil division of the Meritorious Service Decorations, which celebrates Canadians who have made remarkable contributions in different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and healthcare services, to research and humanitarian efforts.
Susan Blight and Dr. Hayden King
Dr. King, a member of the Beausoleil First Nation on Gchi’mnissing in Huronia, Ontario, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Yellowhead Institute (external link) and holds positions as Advisor to the Dean of Arts on Indigenous Education and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University.
The honour comes in recognition of his pivotal role in the Ogimaa Mikana Project (external link) , which Dr. King co-founded with Susan Blight in 2013. This initiative is renowned for its innovative approach to restoring Anishinaabemowin (the Anishinaabe language) names to Toronto's streets, trails and paths through public art.
Ogimaa Mikana at the Bentway, Toronto (photo by Yumi Numata)
By updating signage and billboards, the project not only transforms the landscape but also firmly reaffirms Indigenous presence throughout Anishinaabe territory. This project began with a small section of Queen St. in Toronto, renaming it Ogimaa Mikana (Leader's Trail) in tribute to Indigenous women leading the Idle No More movement at the time. Since then, the project has expanded across Anishinaabe territory with signs, billboards and street art in Ottawa, Kingston, North Bay, the Kawarthas, Thunder Bay, and Barrie. Some of the work has also appeared outside of Anishinaabe territory in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, St. Johns and Kansas City.
“I will forever be proud of the work with Susan Blight on the Ogimaa Mikana Project - work we continue to do,” Dr. King said. “Anishinaabemowin revitalization is part of why we are here as Anishinaabe people. And the suggestion that the Project has helped restart the urban language movement feels good. I hope that's actually the case. It's also sort of ironic to receive an award from the Governor-General for work that challenges Canada and has been done in ways not-exactly-legal. Maybe that can show Anishinaabeg who are coming up - and Indigenous people generally - that they can bend and even break the rules and frameworks we're told are the only avenues available to make change.”
Dr. King will receive his medal from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, in a ceremony to be announced.
