Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 17, 1997
• Invested on: May 07, 1998

Born of Cree parents on the Piapot Reserve in Saskatchewan, she is a musician of international stature, a Native rights activist and a pacifist whose music has sensitized people to political and social issues. Her stirring songs tell the universal story of love and hope, sadness and joy, struggle and triumph. She has also dedicated much of her life to the Cradleboard Teaching Project, which links Native and other children across the continent through computer networking. Her contribution to the development and funding of this interactive educational exchange has helped to facilitate communication and build a sense of identity and self-esteem in school children through the study of Aboriginal culture.