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Flags on campus are lowered in honour of Raymond Mason, an honorary degree recipient in October 2021. Dr. Mason died on March 20 at the age of 75.

A community leader, activist, entrepreneur, and residential school survivor, Dr. Mason was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s for his contributions to truth and reconciliation, to Indigenous peoples and communities, and to Canadian society at large.

Born in Peguis First Nation, north of Winnipeg, Dr. Mason was taken to residential school, but, despite witnessing and enduring his own hardships, would persevere, eventually graduating from the commerce program at the University of Manitoba.

After leading several successful business ventures, Dr. Mason would create Spirt Wind Inc., an organization that mobilized residential and day school survivors into action and successfully pushed for an official government apology and the Residential School Settlement Agreement. 

He would also testify in Parliament on behalf of survivors and his involvement in major class action suits resulted in the Indian Residential School Agreement in 2006. These efforts would help lead to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Commission — an initiative chaired by Queen’s current Chancellor, The Honourable Murray Sinclair. 

Read the Gazette article on Dr. Mason being bestowed an honorary degree from Queen’s.

A wake service will be held Friday, March 25, 7-9 p.m. with the funeral service on Saturday, March 26, at 1 p.m. at the Peguis Central School Gymnasium.

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