[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Will-and-Arnie.jpg” caption=”William Coleman and Onondaga Chief Arnold General at the Six Nations Polytechnic. Photo by Garnette Crawford.”]McMaster's indigenous studies program is losing one of its founders, but not before the Six Nations community could honour him for his many years of service and dedication.

William Coleman, the soon-to-retire director of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, was presented with a condolence cane, usually held by chiefs at ceremonial council meetings, at a recent event at Six Nations Polytechnic, an institution he helped found.

“I'm deeply honoured to have been given the cane,” said Coleman, who has spent the better part of 18 years at McMaster advocating for indigenous people. “It was quite a surprise, given that I'm not of Haudenosaunee descent.”

One side of the cane features an intricate mixture of wood burned symbols, pegs, and designs that serve as a summary of the Great Law of Peace, the Six Nations' oral constitution. On the other are the hereditary names of the 50 chiefs of the confederacy, assumed when a new chief replaces an old one.

Coleman, who helped found the indigenous studies program at McMaster, was introduced to the world of aboriginal affairs after his then student, now indigenous studies director Dawn Martin-Hill questioned the lack of indigenous topics in his political science course. Without a good answer for her, Coleman set out to teach himself about aboriginal politics and quickly became an advocate for indigenous people.

“His unwavering support over the years has been invaluable in helping us attain our goals,” said Martin-Hill.

In the course of his time at McMaster, Coleman also helped set up the President's Committee on Indigenous Issues and the Native University Access Program, which allows aboriginal students to take entry-level post-secondary courses at Six Nations Polytechnic before making the transition to campus life at one of five participating universities, including McMaster.