Humber Polytechnic conferred an honorary degree to former Olympian and Indigenous trailblazer Waneek Horn-Miller as part of Fall 2024 Convocation.  

The Mohawk Bear clan mother of three, from the communities of Kahnawake and Ohsweken, is a trailblazing figure in Indigenous advocacy and sport. Horn-Miller won a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg as a member of the national women’s water polo team and served as co-captain of the national team that finished fifth at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“Going to the Olympics, as it becomes further and further in my rearview mirror, I realized just how few people in the world get that opportunity,” said Horn-Miller. “When you get to the Olympics, you realize this is the biggest show. The world is watching. And that meant so much to me because, being the daughter of a single Indigenous woman, it was an incredible journey to get there.”

During the Oka crisis in 1990, Horn-Miller was stabbed by a Canadian soldier’s bayonet. This near-death experience marked a turning point in her life. As a motivational speaker, she has inspired Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences to prioritize sport and wellness as tools for healing and growth.

“My advice in life is to always be curious and also show up for other people,” said Horn-Miller. “Show up for others when they need you because we can’t do it alone. We need each other. And, most of all, don’t ever lose your sense of humour because a good belly laugh has made some of the toughest stuff to swallow a little easier.”

Horn-Miller has served as a sports commentator for CBC and APTN and has held key leadership positions, including Director of Community Engagement for the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. Her business involvement extends to Manitobah Mukluks, an Indigenous-founded footwear company, and Indigenous Financial Solutions, a consulting company.

Find out more, along with a list of past recipients, by visiting the Convocation webpage.