Lethbridge College will award an honourary degree to Betty-Ann Little Wolf of the Piikani Nation.
A Piikani Nation woman who mentored students in Fort Macleod will receive an honourary degree from Lethbridge College.
Betty-Ann Little Wolf is the 21st honourary degree recipient in the college’s history.
Little Wolf will receive an Honourary Baccalaureate Degree as part of the college’s spring 2022 convocation ceremonies.
“Betty-Ann has been a true leader, supporter and friend to not only Lethbridge College, but to countless organizations, communities and people who call Blackfoot territory their home,” Lethbridge College president and CEO Dr. Paula Burns said.
“Betty-Ann’s story is inspirational as a survivor, an educator, a mother, a leader and a Kaa’ahsinnoon to our community. Her warmth and care for those around her is unending and our college is enriched because of the support she gives us all.”
Little Wolf is a knowledge keeper and spiritual elder in the Blackfoot community who has been a member of Lethbridge College’s Indigenous Services Cultural Support Program since January 2019.
As a dedicated Blackfoot grandmother to the college community, Little Wolf provides students and employees with traditional knowledge, guidance and support.
Little Wolf sits on Lethbridge College’s President’s Indigenous Advisory Council and Reconciliation Committee, and she was instrumental in the creation and launch of Coming Together in a Holistic Way: Lethbridge College Niitsitapi Strategy.
Little Wolf is described as an embodiment of the values and mission of Lethbridge College who brings a richness of knowledge and compassion to the institution while being a true champion of education.
“Betty-Ann is such an important piece in our cultural support program,” said Lowell Yellowhorn, Lethbridge College Indigenous Services manager. “She’s approachable, down to earth, humble and has a genuine nature about her that is so welcoming. Our Elders, like Betty-Ann, are experts in life and they are dedicated to helping our students achieve success.”
Born and raised in the Piikani First Nation, Little Wolf was taken to a residential school when she was six years old.
After 10 years in the residential school system, she enrolled in public school, but an evaluation revealed her education was only equivalent to Grade 3.
Understanding the importance of education, Little Wolf’s father had her tutored within the public school system, as a mature learner, and she ultimately graduated from high school.
In her adult years, Little Wolf and her husband Maurice operated a children’s group home for Piikani children needing care through fostering.
Through this experience, they adopted a baby girl, Hadiga. A Lethbridge College alum of the Criminal Justice program, Hadiga Little Wolf is now an A/Sgt. in the Blood Tribe Police Service.
Betty-Ann Little Wolf later served as a native kiaison counselor at F.P. Walshe school in Fort Macleod, organizing and facilitating family group conferencing sessions and weekly “Healing the Child Within” sessions for students in Grades 10-12.
Little Wolf retired after 21 years with Livingstone Range School Division.
Little Wolf is also a member of the Buffalo Women’s Society — a sacred society in Siksikaitsitapi where members respect all, and practice their customs, traditions, beliefs and spiritual values. She believes Blackfoot culture is key in fostering a connection to identity.
Little Wolf sits on the National Elders Council of Canada within the Assembly of First Nations and is one of eighteen knowledge keepers for the National Council of Elders and knowledge keepers for the Turtle Lodge Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Education and Wellness.
“I am very honoured to be receiving this recognition from Lethbridge College,” Little Wolf said. “I’ve dedicated my life to helping young people, and much of my own healing has come from them. Lethbridge College takes its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation seriously and approaches it the right way — by following a path created by the Indigenous community. I enjoy being part of these conversations and am proud of the work we have done.”
