Dr. Daniel Heath Justice, Professor of English and First Nations and Indigenous Studies, has been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours. He is recognized for his prolific contributions to the field of contemporary Indigenous studies, both in Canada and abroad.
“I’m still absorbing the news, but one thing I definitely feel is immense gratitude to the colleagues, peers, and others who nominated me,” says Dr. Justice. “It’s very humbling and a bit surreal, to be honest, but I will certainly work to be as worthy as I can be of such generosity and kindness.”
Dr. Justice’s research spans the fields of literary studies, cultural history, animal cultural history, gender and sexuality, and speculative fiction. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Literature and Expressive Culture, focusing on Indigenous literary arts and expression, kinship, and the necessity of inclusive, context-specific ways of belonging for decolonization.
“I have two books coming out this year and a few new projects on the go right now, but one that’s really pushing me out of my comfort zone is a peer-reviewed scholarly podcast project for the Amplify Podcast Network and Wilfrid Laurier University Press,” says Dr. Justice. “I’m learning a lot and working with some wonderful people, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
His recently published book, Why Indigenous Literatures Matter, is a study on the vital connection between literary expression and the political, creative and intellectual efforts of Indigenous peoples. He was also co-editor of the award-winning The Oxford Handbook of Indigenous American Literature. Dr. Justice is a Colorado-born Canadian citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada celebrates outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Members are recognized for helping build a better Canada and exemplifying the Order’s motto: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (“They desire a better country”).
