Concordia’s Carole Brazeau is awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal
Born in Maniwaki, Quebec, Carole Brazeau is a citizen of the Algonquin Nation and member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Brazeau has a long history of community engagement and activism.
On January 29, the Concordia staff member was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal for passionately defending the rights of Indigenous women; her commitment to education; and for inspiring inclusion, justice and strengthening community.
“It is a testament to my proud and strong nation, community and family,” she says of the recognition. “I would like to thank the people who nominated me for my first medal.”
A Concordia alumna, BA 94, she co-founded Concordia’s First Nations Student Association in 1990 during the Kanehsatà:ke Resistance (Oka Crisis), which ended September 26 that year. The Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation protected the ancestral burial grounds in Kanehsatà:ke, stopping the development of a golf course over the grounds. Kanehsatà:ke is the traditional lands of Brazeau’s relations, as this is where most of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg originate.
“I always remember what the late Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) Elder Art Solomon once told me: do not let your studies get in the way of your education,” Brazeau says. She began her BA as a mature student, bringing one of her young daughters along to some of her classes.
Brazeau, who wore a ribbon skirt to the ceremony in January, says she accepted the award with a keen awareness of its meaning.
“I was truly surprised when I heard I would be gifted this medal,” she says. “I felt that it was my responsibility to accept this gift.”
Created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023, the medal is awarded for significant contributions to Canada, to a province, territory, region or community, or for an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. The medal program is administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
“It is a momentous time in our history with Indigenous women representing,” Brazeau says. “Indigenous women who have devoted their life’s work to Indigenous issues and peoples currently hold the positions of Governor General and Quebec Lieutenant Governor. Both are continuing the work through their roles and priorities.”
A member of the Mi’gmaq Nation, Gespeg, Manon Jeannotte was sworn in as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec in January 2024, becoming the first Indigenous person in this role.
The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, who is Inuk and the first Indigenous person to serve as Governor General, has held the office since 2021.
“Her Excellency the Right Honorable Mary Simon goes beyond her symbolic functions. That is most important to me,” Brazeau shares.
Guided by Indigenous self-determination and protecting the earth
Brazeau has worked for multiple organizations that advocate for Indigenous peoples and women, including the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, Quebec Native Women (QNW) and the National Indigenous Circle Against Family Violence, promoting the well-being and safety of Indigenous families, communities and Nations locally, provincially and nationally.
She is deeply committed to the protection of the earth and the promotion of Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination. She sees advocating for Indigenous peoples’ collective rights as interwoven with protecting the environment.
Her graduate studies included a practicum in Listuguj, Quebec on the harvesting of fish and other species. During her tenure as the environment and sustainable development coordinator at QNW, she led a research project on climate change issues identified by Indigenous peoples. She and her team conducted qualitative research and developed a human rights training program for Indigenous women.
She has also collaborated with Greenpeace and co-authored a blog post with her eldest daughter, Jennifer, raising awareness and concern about the three C’s: climate catastrophe, capitalism and colonialism.
In her work at Concordia’s Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), she provides consultations to faculty on the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems in course content and on the decolonization of pedagogical practices. She leads workshops at the CTL and as part of the Pîkiskwêtân Indigenous learning series, is a member of the Indigenous Directions Leadership Council and sits on Concordia’s Sustainability Action Plan committee.
“It is an honour to be working with Dr. Kahérakwas Donna Goodleaf, and alongside Melissa Forcione, project coordinator of land-based education initiatives, and all my colleagues,” Brazeau notes.
She says her most important role, however, is that of Kokom (Grandmother). The engagement of her extended family runs deep. She notes that her own mother, Madeleine, is a force of nature. First cousin Claudette Commanda, Elder and first Indigenous Chancellor at the University of Ottawa, was also awarded a Coronation medal.
