University of Regina strips Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond of honorary degree

representative for children and youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond of an honorary degree.In a Monday statement, the University of Regina said it had rescinded an honorary doctor of laws degree it bestowed on Turpel-Lafond in 2003.The school said the decision came following a request from the Indigenous Women’s Collective to revoke such degrees.

Read more: More universities review honorary degrees awarded to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond Read next: Part of the Sun breaks free and forms a strange vortex, baffling scientists In a statement in November, that group said the honours should be withdrawn because Turpel-Lafond “stole” the identity and lived experiences of Indigenous women.Last fall, a series of reports by the CBC raised a number of questions about Turpel-Lafond’s claims about her academic accomplishments and her claims of Indigenous ancestry.“In making this decision the University conducted consultations and considered the evidence that has emerged in the media with respect to Turpel-Lafond’s claims of Indigenous heritage/ancestry.

Additionally, a number of other stated credentials and academic achievements have been shown to be untrue,” the University of Regina said.

Read more: UBC regrets handling of Turpel-Lafond, as she loses honour at different university Read next: Exclusive: Widow’s 911 call before James Smith Cree Nation murders reveals prior violence “While the University recognizes that Turpel-Lafond has been a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and child welfare, her accomplishments are outweighed by the harm inflicted upon Indigenous academics, peoples and communities when non-Indigenous people misrepresent their Indigenous ancestry.”In a statement posted to Twitter, Indigenous Women’s Collective.