USask historian to receive one of Métis Nation’s highest civilian honours

A University of Saskatchewan (USask) historian is joining a select group of individuals who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Métis people of Canada.  

Dr. Cheryl Troupe (BA'01,MA'10, PhD'19), an assistant professor in the Department of History at USask, is one of four people who are being invested into the Order of Gabriel Dumont.  

Troupe is receiving the Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal, which is awarded based on lifetime achievements and services to the Métis people of Canada.  

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from the Métis community,” Troupe said. “It acknowledges that the community values my contributions at the grassroots level and through my scholarship.   

“I am grateful to those who have worked and continue to work alongside me,” she added.  

The award recognizes Troupe’s work as a dedicated community builder, accomplished researcher and scholar, advocate and champion for Métis history, culture and stories.  

Troupe is Métis, a member of Gabriel Dumont Local No. 11 in Saskatoon. For more than 20 years, her work has primarily focused on historical and community-based research about 20th century Métis communities in western Canada, combining Indigenous research methodologies with historical geographic information systems, and exploring the roles Métis women hold in their families and communities.  

Troupe is the director of the Centre for Community Engaged and Collaborative Historical Research at USask and works in the Historical Geographic Information Systems Laboratory on campus.  

Since the 1980s the Order of Gabriel Dumont is awarded to individuals who have provided outstanding service to the Métis people in Canada. These services can include education, politics, health care, community development and culture.  

In recognition of their contributions, 108 people have been invested in the order for their work as community leaders, language keepers, political advocates, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, educators and healthcare workers.