Joining the ranks of decades of esteemed honourees, four distinguished Canadians will be presented with an honorary degree from Trent University at the upcoming 2023 convocation ceremonies to be held in-person in Peterborough from June 6 to 9 and June 12 to 13, and in Durham on June 16.  

The 2023 recipients include: a distinguished member of the Canadian military who advocates for Indigenous rights and awareness training within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Department of National Defence (DND); an award-winning Indigenous writer and filmmaker who has played a key role in the Indigenous cultural renaissance since the 1980s; a medical doctor and community leader who has advanced geriatric care and the study of aging across the country; and the former Ontario minister of Health who oversaw the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This year’s honorary degree recipients personify Trent’s strengths in Indigenous studies, health, aging, social justice, the liberal arts and sciences,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor at Trent University. “These individuals exemplify the spirit of challenging the way we think to make a difference in our communities, our province, across the country and around the world.” 

The following individuals will be presented with Trent’s highest honour at the 2023 convocation ceremonies: 

Master Warrant Officer Moogly J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel – Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 10 a.m. ceremony, Peterborough  

Master Warrant Officer Moogly J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel will receive an honorary doctorate of laws in recognition of his distinguished 21 years of military service with the CAF, as well as his robust Indigenous advocacy and impactful Indigenous awareness training within the CAF and DND.  

Drew Hayden Taylor – Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 2 p.m. ceremony, Peterborough

Drew Hayden Taylor, of Curve Lake First Nation, will receive an honorary doctorate of letters at in recognition of his award-winning career as an Indigenous playwright, journalist, filmmaker, humorist and author and his significant role in the Indigenous cultural renaissance, which has been gathering momentum since the 1980s. 

Dr. K. Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Ingram – Monday, June 12, 2023, 2 p.m. ceremony, Peterborough 

Dr. Jenny Ingram, a specialist in internal and geriatric medicine and an outstanding community leader, will receive an honorary doctorate of science in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to geriatric medicine, dementia care and the study of aging that have impacted healthcare regionally, provincially and nationally. 

Christine Elliott – Friday, June 16, 2023, 2 p.m. ceremony, Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa

Former Ontario minister of Health and deputy premier Christine Elliott will receive an honorary doctorate of laws at Trent University Durham GTA in recognition of her service to Ontario, including as minister of Health from 2018-2022 during which she oversaw the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her advocacy and volunteerism for vulnerable community members. 

Further details of Trent’s in-person convocation ceremonies can be found at trentu.ca/convocation.   

Honorary degree recipient profiles

Master Warrant Officer Moogly J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Moogly ‘Moog’ J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel has led a distinguished 21-year career in the CAF and has been instrumental in implementing and deepening Indigenous knowledge systems and grassroots consultations within the CAF and the DND. Tetrault-Hamel is known for his humble and passionate way of fighting discrimination by supporting those who faced bias, serving as Senior Advisor in regard to employment equity, and providing impactful awareness training to CAF and DND leaders. He is also known to work at any time of the day or night, which has had a direct and positive impact on military members who face mental health struggles. Tetrault-Hamel, a proud father of six, has received numerous distinctions and awards over the years including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and the Order of Military Merit in 2022. 

Drew Hayden Taylor

Drew Hayden Taylor is an award-winning playwright, journalist, filmmaker, humorist and author who is described by the Canadian Encyclopedia as “one of Canada’s leading Indigenous playwrights and humorists.” Author of more than 20 plays and 34 books, his work has left its mark on the Canadian literary scene and around the world. Hayden Taylor, Ojibway from Curve Lake First Nation, has also worked on 17 documentaries exploring Indigenous experiences including Going Native, currently airing on APTN, in which he examines stereotypes and traditions while discovering new ways Indigenous people are shaping their culture in the 21st century. Hayden Taylor has worked as scriptwriter on many acclaimed series including North of Sixty and The Beachcombers, and has been actively engaged with Trent University as a regular contributor to Indigenous Performance programming, reading from his plays in classes, and engaging with students in their interpretation on stage. 

Dr. K. Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Ingram  

Dr. Jenny Ingram M.D. is a specialist in Internal and Geriatric Medicine, a Trent University adjunct professor, on the inaugural advisory board of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society, and an accomplished community leader who, in the very best of Trent’s mission, has spent more than three decades ‘challenging the way we think’ about aging and dementia. She is the founder of the Kawartha Centre – Redefining Healthy Aging, a community-based senior’s medical clinic and clinical research site. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to increase health care capacity to serve complex seniors and those with dementia including working with primary care locations to develop the skills and capacity of family health teams in diagnosing and managing dementia and Alzheimer’s at their medical home. She was instrumental in the development, funding and implementation of 12 interdisciplinary Geriatric Assessment and Intervention teams and the Seniors Care Network that regionally serve 6,000 seniors living at home annually, helping them stay home longer. She has also become the resource for many Geriatric Medicine residents wishing to learn how to develop geriatric programs in underserviced communities. As a result of her efforts, the Central East region now has 11 geriatricians, whereas a decade ago there had been only one. Thanks to Dr. Ingram, the Peterborough region is now a provincial leader in caring for seniors through specialized geriatric outpatient and community services and is at the forefront of age-friendly community initiatives in Canada. Dr. Ingram continues to inspire Trent University in embracing aging and dementia in curriculum, research, credentialling and community engagement through her ongoing work with students and faculty in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Psychology graduate program, and the Trent Centre for Aging and Society.  

Christine Elliott

Christine Elliott is Ontario’s former minister of Health and deputy premier and was integral in overseeing the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elliott is also a lawyer who was a founding partner at Flaherty Dow Elliott & McCarthy until 2006 when she was elected as MPP for Whitby-Ajax. She was subsequently re-elected as MPP for Whitby-Oshawa in 2007, 2011 and 2014 and as MPP for Newmarket-Aurora in 2018. During her political career, Elliott served as both minister of Health and deputy premier from 2018 to 2022, and as Ontario’s first patient ombudsman (2016 to 2018). In September 2022, Elliott announced a return to private life and joined the health law group at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Elliott is a passionate advocate for vulnerable community members and has volunteered with many organizations including Grandview Children’s Centre, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lakeridge Health Whitby Foundation and Durham Mental Health Services, which named one of their homes in her honour. She is co-founder and former director of the Abilities Centre, a multi-purpose athletic, recreation and performing arts facility where everyone is welcome and everyone’s abilities are celebrated.