Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 20, 2014
• Invested on: November 18, 2015

For his support of residential school survivors and First Nations communities, notably as the head of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Michael DeGagné’s determination and presence have placed him at the forefront of efforts to improve the well-being of Aboriginal people. As executive director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, he oversaw funding for more than 1 300 projects in communities across Canada that directly addressed the healing needs of the survivors of the residential school system. Currently the president of Nipissing University, he is the first Aboriginal person to lead a chartered university in Canada, and continues to transform it into a place of support and opportunity for Aboriginal students.