Elder Rod Hunter became the first member of the Bearspaw First Nation to be awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Calgary on Wednesday, recognized for a lifetime of service to the Îyârhe Nakoda people and Indigenous reconciliation.
Elder Rod Hunter, whose traditional Stoney Nakoda name is Othni (“Cold”), is a leader, Knowledge Keeper and cultural advocate from Bearspaw First Nation who has dedicated his life to strengthening the cultural, political and spiritual well-being of the Stoney Nakoda people. He currently serves as an elected councillor for Bearspaw First Nation, helping guide governance, community priorities and Nation-to-Nation relationships.
Photo/Bearspaw First Nation
He is also a central figure in the preservation and sharing of Stoney Nakoda culture, carrying responsibilities as a Sundance Maker, medicine holder and pipe holder. Having completed four Sundance lodges, Hunter holds deep ceremonial knowledge and continues to uphold traditional spiritual practices central to community life and identity.
Across North America’s powwow circuit, Hunter is widely respected as a world-class singer and longtime leader of the drum group Eyahey Nakoda. He began his singing journey at age nine and has spent decades sharing Stoney Nakoda songs, teachings and culture with audiences across the continent.
Leadership in the Bearspaw First Nation
“This is a proud and emotional moment for Bearspaw First Nation,” said Chief Darcy Dixon of the Bearspaw First Nation. “Elder Rod Hunter has dedicated his entire life to serving our Nation and our people with humility, compassion, strength, and wisdom. He represents the heart of our community and the enduring cultural spirit of the Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation. We are deeply honoured to see him recognized in this way.”
Hunter has also played a significant role in cultural education and relationship-building with the University of Calgary.
Among his many contributions, Hunter shared teachings connected to the creation of the University of Calgary’s Honour Song, helping establish a meaningful cultural and ceremonial relationship with the institution.
Elder Rod Hunter singing the University of Calgary Honour Song at the 2023 spring convocation. Photo/Riley Brandt
Cultural teachings and University of Calgary relationship
His work has supported the growing recognition of Indigenous Ways of Knowing within educational spaces and has encouraged respectful dialogue grounded in understanding and relationship.
In an interview with Samantha Lafleur of the University of Calgary’s communications department last November, Hunter spoke about the origins of the university’s Honour Song, which he gifted to the institution in 2018.
Hunter says the song came to him in a dream after a powwow.
“I got up singing it, I put it on the recorder and I didn’t think much of it,” says Hunter. “Years passed and I was going through my recordings and that song came up, ‘Oh, yes!’ so I finished making it.”
Years later, the university invited Hunter to sing with his drum group, Eya Hey Nakoda. Considering the right song for the occasion, together with his son, Hunter landed on what they called at the time RB One. This song went on to become one of four key cultural gifts contributing to ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the University of Calgary Indigenous Strategy, when Hunter gifted the song to the university.
The gifting took place through ceremony in a tipi on university grounds, marking a moment of mutual respect and cultural significance.
The Honour Song is now performed at all University of Calgary convocations, as well as at major university events.
“It always makes me feel good, because I have to sing it to them and I pray in my mind while I’m singing it that these students that are there in convocation become successful. That they take the good path,” Hunter told Lafleur in the interview.
The Office of the Chancellor and Senate bestows two prestigious awards during convocation each term for people making an impact in our community and around the world: Honorary Degrees and the Order of the University of Calgary.