OCAD U mourns the passing of former Chancellor James K. Bartleman

James Bartleman is shown above at Queen’s Park in Toronto on June 15, 2009. Photo by Pawel Dwulit, Toronto Star.

The OCAD University community is deeply saddened by the passing of the Honourable James K. Bartleman on August 14, 2023 at the age of 83. He was the first Indigenous Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and former Chancellor of OCAD University. 

“On behalf of the OCAD University community, we express our deep condolences to the family of James Bartleman,” said President Ana Serrano. “He leaves a great legacy at OCAD U through his many contributions as our second Chancellor and first Indigenous Chancellor, creating opportunities for Indigenous students to thrive and succeed at the University.”

OCAD U President Emerita Dr. Sara Diamond worked closely with Bartleman when she was president and vice-chancellor. 

She remembers James Bartleman “as a generous, passionate and brilliant leader of OCAD U who was instrumental in establishing the University’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous knowledge and culture and efforts towards decolonization. A knowledge-keeper, he educated the University community about the specific histories and contemporary realities of Indigenous communities in Ontario. I had the honour of travelling with him and witnessed the deep connection and mutual respect that he received and gave in return. OCAD U was fortunate to also be the recipient of that wisdom and care.” 

REMEMBERING JAMES BARTLEMAN

James Bartleman was a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. He served as Ontario’s 27th Lieutenant-Governor from 2002 to 2007, making history as the first Indigenous lieutenant-governor of the province. He served as Chancellor of OCAD U from 2007 to 2012, the second Chancellor in the University’s history. He received an honorary doctorate from OCAD U in 2008.  

OCAD U welcomed Bartleman as Chancellor with a vibrant and warm ceremony on November 7, 2007. During his time at OCAD U, he was instrumental in helping to establish the University’s Indigenous programming and supports. He was the Founding Chair of the University’s Aboriginal Education Council, leading a national and regional group of Indigenous leaders to advise the University in the recruitment and support of Indigenous students and in creating its programs. 

He also served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council, providing strategic advice to the larger OCAD U community. As an author he believed in the power of arts and culture to express Indigenous history and to galvanize Indigenous youth.

As OCAD U Chancellor, he opened many doors for the University, creating partnerships with Indigenous leaders and government officials. As a former diplomat he built international ties for OCAD U, helping with plans to internationalize the University’s student population and recruit international faculty. 

OCAD U became a partner in the Aboriginal Summer Literacy Camps, an initiative he started to promote a love of reading and learning among First Nations children and youth between the ages of six and 15, living in isolated and/or fly-in reserves in northern Ontario. OCAD U resourced and delivered a digital training program to augment print literacy.

In a statement issued by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell,  she noted that “Mr. Bartleman had a distinguished diplomatic career that spanned more than three decades. He was renowned for his creativity in fostering cultural exchanges, emphasizing the role of diplomacy in building mutual respect and understanding. His profound dedication to his duties, detailed knowledge of international affairs, and exceptional ability to handle crisis situations earned him widespread respect in diplomatic circles.”

In 2002, Bartleman became a member of the Order of Ontario. He was promoted to Knight of Justice in the Order of St John in 2002 and received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for public service in 1999. He received the Dr. Hugh Lefave Award (2003) and the Courage to Come Back Award (2004) for his efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness. He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011.

During his mandate as Lieutenant-Governor, Bartleman identified three key priorities: to eliminate the stigma of mental illness, to fight racism and discrimination and to encourage Indigenous young people.

He launched the first Lieutenant-Governor’s Book Drive in 2004, which collected 1.2 million books for First Nations schools and Native Friendship Centres throughout Ontario.

He continued to expand this program and establish literacy summer camps in the years that followed, and today, the summer literacy camps, which operate in over 90 Indigenous communities across Canada, are administered by the non-profit United for Literacy. 

Bartleman also left his mark on Canadian literature with his five non-fiction books and three novels. 

He will be deeply remembered and dearly missed.

Sources

Lieutenant Governor’s Statement on the Death of The Honourable James K. Bartleman

Toronto Star