Bertha Skye was an Elder-in-Residence and McMaster University Honorary Degree recipient. She passed peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on July 18, 2024.

Skye was a Cree Elder, originally from Ahtahkakoop in Northern Saskatchewan. Her time at McMaster as Elder-in-Residence was marked by her dedication to students, staff, and faculty through her wisdom, kindness, and cultural teachings.

The continued growth and success of McMaster’s Indigenous community have been shaped by Skye’s contributions to the Indigenous Studies Program, Indigenous Student Services, and the Indigenous Students Health Sciences Office.

She was also a renown chef, whose lifelong passion for food and cooking began in her childhood, and took her to the Culinary Olympics in 1992. There, as part of the Canadian Native Haute Cuisine team, Skye competed against thousands of chefs from around the world, using traditional Haudenoshaunee ingredients and recipes and helping the team bring home 11 medals — seven of them gold.