Honouring the Legacy of Tracey King (Linklater), Miigis Kwe (Little Shell Woman)
On May 21, 2024, Tracey King (Linklater), Miigis Kwe (Little Shell Woman), crossed over to the Spirit World. She passed peacefully with her son Lucas by her side.
We encourage you to share this news with students, colleagues or community members who were fortunate to learn from or work with Tracey.
About Tracey
Tracey was Pottawatomi, Shawnee, Ojibway and Lakota, a member of the Otter Clan and a citizen of Wasauksing First Nation. A lifelong learner, Tracey completed three undergraduate and graduate degrees and completed additional certifications in life skills coaching, career and work counselling and human resources management. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Tracey worked for a variety of post-secondary institutions and organizations providing tailored services to the Indigenous community, including Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) and the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (now the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation), and the university of Toronto in a number of roles.
Joining TMU in 2010 and working jointly with Human Resources (HR) and the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI), Tracey served as Toronto Metropolitan University’s first Indigenous Human Resources (HR) Lead, Recruitment and Retention. In this role, she was instrumental in advancing the careers of Indigenous employees and ensuring that HR practices and processes were inclusive and addressed the unique challenges faced by Indigenous staff. Her visionary work led to the creation of the Learn for Empowerment program, an Indigenous-led and trauma-informed program designed to help address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous candidates and increase the representation and retention of Indigenous staff at TMU.
Tracey collaborated with many students, faculty and staff across TMU and was an active member of the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Strategic Working Group, the Indigenous Education Council and the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force.
Tracey’s role and contributions
In her role as the university’s first Indigenous Human Resources Lead, Recruitment and Retention, Tracey played a key role in fostering a strong partnership between Human Resources and the Indigenous Initiatives unit in the OVPECI. She was instrumental in hiring many Indigenous staff members within the Indigenous Initiatives unit and across the university, helping to fulfill the vision set forth during the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) community consultations. She was committed to supporting Indigenous representation throughout the entire institution in diverse roles at every level.
Reflecting on her role at TMU in June 2018, Tracey said:
“One thing that I love about my role is that it is a fluid one where I work in many settings as a resource and builder, using my Indigenous knowledge, community connections and lived experience. Fundamentally, I’m working for Indigenous peoples on a wide array of issues and areas within the university.”
Transforming recruitment and hiring processes
Tracey significantly impacted the recruitment and interview processes for Indigenous staff; her efforts were instrumental in making TMU a more inclusive employer. She introduced culturally relevant materials into the recruitment process, ensuring Indigenous candidates felt comfortable sharing their gifts and knowledge. Tracey was deeply committed to increasing the pathways for prospective Indigenous staff, regularly working with hiring panels to increase awareness and understand the unique ways in which some Indigenous Peoples use storytelling as a vehicle for communication in interviews.
“I am grateful for the work that Tracey did to ensure that we hired more Indigenous community members and she saw to it that we thought about support for them, including mentorship and advancement. I remember her most for the way that she brought her whole self to work. She would share Indigenous ways of being and teachings in meetings and often spoke of lessons from her elders, especially her dad. In this way, she modelled the work we are trying to do to integrate and embed indigenous ways of being and doing into everything we do at TMU, it must go beyond the hiring to the way we actually do the work every day”
- Tanya De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
Commitment to building and sustaining relationships
As an ambassador of TMU within the Indigenous community, Tracey attracted numerous individuals to the university. She created a database of Indigenous scholars, enabling her to stay connected with existing and emerging researchers, fostering relationships that are foundational to Indigenous communities.
Tracey's commitment extended to enhancing workplace wellbeing by introducing culturally relevant benefits programs for Indigenous employees—an initiative rarely seen in Canadian workplaces. Tracey’s extensive network and personal touch were instrumental in her success; she kept in touch with Indigenous candidates even if they were not initially hired, understanding their interests and goals, and referring them to other positions at the university.
Her remarkable work led to her being the 2019 recipient of an Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award for her dedication to creating opportunities for Indigenous employees.
Dedication to the Standing Strong Task Force
Tracey was also a committed member of the Standing Strong Task Force in 2021, contributing to the development of 22 recommendations for the university to acknowledge its past and build a more promising future. Over nine months, she engaged deeply with community members, learned from research, and collaborated with other Standing Strong Task Force members to envision a better path forward for TMU.
Cher Trudeau, Administrative Coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
"Tracey was the inaugural chair of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Community Group. She always invited me along to networking events with her, including with the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. I admired how she was so genuine and could develop rapport with anyone she met. Her contributions as an Indigenous Education Council member were so valuable. She supported numerous initiatives and advocated for others along the way.”
Christa Hinds, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Labour Relations, HR Partnership Team in HR
“My fondest and deepest appreciation of Tracey stem from when I was first hired at the University It was evident that she was profoundly focused on helping her community in whatever way that meant. She had the ability to flex to the needs of her community. Some days it was advocating and challenging colonialism and other days it was creating safe spaces to artistically express emotions. I remember a day when she was literally carrying heavy blocks of wood across campus for folks to tell their own personal stories in a community crafting workshop. It was important to Tracey for her people to have a positive outlet and a place to build community at work. She cared deeply about traditional knowledge and providing support for Indigenous peoples who were joining and were at TMU. Tracey was a significant part of my story in joining the Indigenous community at TMU. I will forever be grateful for her kindness and her willingness to share her knowledge and vision with me.”
Hayden King, Executive Director of the Yellowhead Institute, Advisor to the Dean of Arts on Indigenous Education and Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
“Tracey and I worked together, on and off, for a few years as we grew the Indigenous faculty at TMU. In a few cases, Tracey would join me in meetings with job candidates. She offered them a smudge and tobacco before their job talks and for some of these folks, that was a kindness in an often intimidating atmosphere. This simple act of extending that care was a reflection of the kind of work that Tracey did and was a reflection of who she was as a person.”
James McKay and Nora McAllister, peer managers from the Human Resources Talent Acquisition Centre of Expertise
“Tracey was a visionary that looked to others to help bring her ideas to life. It was in those times you would see Tracey in her strongest light where her passion for helping others to succeed shone the brightest. She had an ability to push boundaries and ask difficult questions which has elevated the way in which Indigenous people and their contributions are viewed at TMU.
If you were ever in Tracey's office, you saw the sacred items that she held close and the awards of which she was proud. The awards acknowledged her advocacy work on behalf of Indigenous communities within TMU and beyond. Our team will continue to be guided by her ideas which will inform our HR Indigenous strategy.”
Jennifer Alefounder, Director, Workplace Wellbeing Services, HR
“Tracey was an integral part of the creation of TMU’s Indigenous Wellbeing and Cultural Practice Leave. As one of the inaugural working group members, Tracey helped to develop the scope of the project and provided feedback throughout, ensuring recommendations made were based on the voices of TMU’s Indigenous community. Tracey’s generosity in knowledge sharing and tireless effort to support TMU’s Indigenous community will be deeply missed.”
Jenny O’Donnell, Chief Human Resources Officer, HR
“Tracey was a valued member of the HR team. I will always appreciate Tracey's generosity in sharing her knowledge and supporting both my own Indigenous learning, and also the entire Human Resources team. She was a tireless advocate to embed Indigenous knowledge and practices into recruitment, hiring and onboarding to create systemic change in our work.”
Joanne Okimawininew Dallaire, Elder and Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
"I knew Tracey from the start when she joined the university in 2010. Back then I was the Elder for what was then Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services.
Tracey was one of a kind. She was persistent and tenacious. She never walked away when faced with resistance. She kept going because she knew what was right: That more Indigenous folks needed to be part of the university. She was stubborn in the best way possible, always pushing forward when I think a lot of others would have given up... While I found her to be so strong and determined, she was also soft and so loving, especially when it came to her son, Lucas. She spoke of him often and he was always with her. She was proud and her love was so clear.
This university is shaped by all the people who pass through over the years. It changes with each and every one of us. It may take a few years, but in time we will see the difference that Tracey made and how her work has made TMU a better place. I will miss her and I hope she is in a better place now."
Monica McKay, Director, Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
“Tracey King (Linklater), Miigis Kwe (Little Shell Woman), was a compassionate and kind woman, whose mission was to open as many doors and to create pathways for Indigenous folks in education, employment and career development. She believed our cultures and traditional teachings were not only a strength in these pursuits. She always looked for opportunities to find partners and collaborators.
Tracey loved to sing and Indigenous humor. I am going to miss her dropping in to see me, our dreaming time of what could be possible and her many ideas of what we could do together. Rest well, Tracey.”
Rachel DiSaia, Associate Director, Next Chapter Implementation and Coordination
“Tracey's commitment to her work, including her service on the Standing Strong Task Force, demonstrated her optimism for change and her understanding that she played a role in making that happen. Over the course of the Task Force project, her sense of responsibility to serve the future challenged everyone to consider what our own legacies could be based on the work that we do.”
Scott Sunday, Indigenous Program Coordinator, Learn for Empowerment Program, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources
“As we reflect on Tracey's life, we also extend our deepest condolences to her son, Lucas, her family and friends. Our thoughts are with those who knew and loved Tracey.
I originally met Tracey over 20 years ago while we worked together for a short period at a local non-profit Indigenous organization. We both worked in specialized areas, and Tracey's department focused on employment and training.
As far as I can remember, Tracey always had the desire to further her education and work experience and chose to leave to pursue her goals. Years passed, and since then I hadn't seen or heard from her but the Indigenous community in Toronto is small compared to others and I heard that she was still working for the Indigenous community in the GTA.
Fast forward to today. I am writing this as a TMU employee because Tracey encouraged me to apply to a unique opportunity that encompassed Tracey's vision for Indigenous people who choose to work at TMU. Tracey supported my application, guided me through the process, and (even though I hadn't written a resume or cover letter in over twenty years) offered her generous support throughout to calm my nerves.
I will dearly miss Tracey and her infectious laughter, spirit, and unwavering guidance, and not only that, but it feels as though a large part of the heart and soul of her vision is left in intermission. I am honoured and grateful to have worked with Tracey for such a short time, but I know that in my spirit of all things, I will continue with her legacy and do my best to make her proud.
You are missed dearly and I hope you are at peace and no longer in pain.
Baamaapii Tracey.”
Sheila Saikkonen, Administrative Assistant, Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services
“I always remember the time we stole a ride on the GO train after coming from the Exhibition. We laughed so hard we were in tears. Tracey did have a bit of a naughty side. There were many sides to Tracey. She loved to sing. She was a collector of Indigenous painting and crafts from our fellow crafters; she was a very big supporter. She was the one who ran the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Group meetings and brought very interesting people in to lead crafting sessions, teachings and feasts.
Community was very important to her. She gave a lot of support and worked very hard to hire more Indigenous people at TMU. I want to remember Tracey as this vibrant, giving, loving, caring Kwe. I would pass students onto her to do mock interviews to prepare them for that dream job they were applying to. She always shared with me how important it was to get the degree and to always work towards a Masters. Employers are looking for that so any chance I have I make sure to pass that onto our students. Our HR Indigenous Lead Tracey King will be missed.”
Sri Pathmanathan, HR and Employment Equity Coordinator
“Tracey had been a precious colleague of mine for more than a decade, with us first working together at the end of 2010. I will always admire her fearless and unapologetic character, including her unwavering commitment to always speaking up for what is right and just. Working alongside her left a permanent mark on me professionally and her guidance and support made my work easier and of higher quality. In the early days of our friendship, the University was relatively in the preliminary stages of EDI initiatives. Together, we attended and participated in many events, including regular community events at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and Miziwe Biik Employment Centre. Tracey will always be a source of wisdom, courage, energy and encouragement for me.
In addition to being the very first HR Indigenous Specialist/Consultant in the higher education sector, Tracey was a regular presence at almost all Indigenous initiatives and events at TMU. A recognized trailblazer, Tracey’s efforts were a notable source of recognition and prestige for TMU; through her work with the Ontario University Employment and Educational Equity Network, I can recall many instances of high education institutions across Ontario, and from as far away as Alberta and BC, seeking out her expertise for their own Indigenous-focused programming and reconciliation work.
Both Tracey and I shared a tremendous appreciation for each other’s struggles, the challenges we faced in making our voices heard and in making progress in our respective areas and in EDI more generally. Getting together was fundamental to us feeling recharged, as our equity work was often draining and tiring, both mentally and physically. It was my hope and wish that she would become a great elder, given her wealth of ideas and willingness to offer open and honest advice to all who sought her guidance. I’ve lost a very special colleague too soon. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”