Graduands and guests of York University’s second Spring Convocation ceremony for Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) and the Faculty of Science were among those to hear from Kelly LaRocca, chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, on the life-changing power of education.
Introduced by EUC Dean Alice Hovorka, LaRocca was recognized as an honorary doctorate recipient by York and was commended for her community leadership that focuses on Indigenous cultures, histories and perspectives as well as her passion for education, youth empowerment and economic development.
“Throughout her distinguished career, Chief LaRocca has exemplified exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to her community and steadfast commitment to advancing Indigenous rights and reconciliation,” said Hovorka. “Her leadership will inspire meaningful dialogue, action and advocacy ... for generations to come.”
LaRocca holds an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and a bachelor of laws from the University of Windsor. After obtaining her law degree and practicing civil litigation in Toronto, she returned to her community in 2008. Since her election as chief in 2013, she has played a vital role in negotiating significant treaty settlements and advocating for clean drinking water for her community.
During her convocation address, she spoke with conviction about her journey, drawing from personal experiences to inspire the graduating class of 2025. Emphasizing the transformative power of education and the importance of embracing unexpected pathways to success, her address resonated with themes of resilience, authenticity and the significance of lived experiences.
“Whatever you do, remember that the process of getting here has conditioned you for the peaks and valleys of life,” she said, sharing her experience of moving from a city environment to a tight-knit Indigenous community at age 16, and the first-hand experience of how colonialism had shaped the world around her.
After high school, she left “determined to never look back” and was working toward her “misguided beliefs” that financial success would prove she belonged in “worlds that otherwise felt foreign and quite out of reach.”
Reflecting on this path and belief system, LaRocca shared that over time, she came to realize that success is more a measure of the ability to embrace one’s identity and values.
“Success came when I was unapologetic about who I was and where I was from,” she said. “Success came from honouring my roots, living by my values and listening with empathy for others.”
Along with the measure of personal success, she asserted that cultivating empathy is a key skill that will serve graduating students throughout their lives and careers in building relationships and understanding diverse perspectives.
She recounted for listeners her own struggles with imposter syndrome during her education, noting that these challenges ultimately contributed to her personal and professional growth.
“Success is not always loud. Sometimes it's quiet, and it can be found through the tough personal choices you make; it can be found in living your values and in standing firm to who you are.”
After practicing law for some time, she found her way back to her Indigenous community, where she relocated to care for her mother. Later, after the loss of her mother, she experienced first-hand the power of community and understood she needed to shift her focus to honour her Indigenous community.
“It was time to honour my mother and give back to my First Nation,” she said. This is what led her to leadership as an elected council member, and later, as chief.
LaRocca urged graduates to take a moment to appreciate the significance of their accomplishments and to acknowledge the support from their loved ones during the journey they took to reach this milestone.
In a closing message, LaRocca shared the advice she received from Monty Marsden, a respected elder and residential school survivor: “Never apologize for where you come from and never give up.” She encouraged graduands to move forward with purpose, authenticity and to live by their values.
“Walk forward with purpose and remember that living authentically will guide you to your next success,” she said.