How a 24-Year-Old Helped Shape Trent University’s Indigenous Studies Program – Trent U

April 10, 2025

A chance encounter between Harvey McCue (Waubageshig) C.M. ’66 (Champlain College) and President Tom Symons ignited a groundbreaking program at Trent

Harvey McCue (Waubageshig) C.M. ’66 (Champlain College) is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his influential work advancing the health, well-being, and education of Indigenous youth and people.

It all began in the fall of 1968, when as a 24-year-old student at Trent University and the newly-elected President of the Champlain College student council, McCue received an invitation to the office of then University President Tom Symons. President Symons informed him he had a keen interest in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, and as president, he wanted to pursue that interest within the academic realm.

“As a current student, I didn’t know Tom at the time. This was just after Thanksgiving, and we started a conversation,” McCue recalls. “He said, ‘Harvey, what would you recommend I and the university undertake? I was flattered by the question, it wasn’t something that I had prepared for, and it was totally off my radar.”

Read More: https://www.trentu.ca/news/story/42481