(BRAMPTON, SAULT STE. MARIE, TIMMINS, ON) Algoma University is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement alongside Garden River First Nation, and communities across Canada: Ted Nolan, who received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Algoma University in 2022, has been named to the Order of Sport Class of 2025—Canada’s highest sporting honour—and will be formally inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame this October.
A trailblazer in professional hockey and a lifelong advocate for Indigenous youth, Nolan’s legacy extends far beyond the rink. Following in the footsteps of his late mother, Elder, Survivor, and friend, Rose Nolan, he continues to shape futures through education, mentorship, and community leadership.
“As we honour this remarkable achievement, Algoma University extends heartfelt congratulations to Ted Nolan,” said Dr. Donna Rogers, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “His unwavering leadership, advocacy for Indigenous youth, and commitment to education reflect the very values we hold dear as a university. We are proud to walk alongside Ted on this journey and to continue supporting the legacy he has built for future generations.”
From his early years in Garden River, Nolan recognized that success is not just about personal achievement, but about lifting others along the way. These values, rooted in his family teachings, continue to inspire generations of Indigenous learners and leaders — especially here at Algoma University.
Of all the ways Ted has given back to the University community, the Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship may be his most personal tribute. Established through the Ted Nolan Foundation, the scholarship honours his mother’s enduring legacy; a woman whose love, strength, humility, and commitment to community shaped Ted’s path and purpose.
The Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship supports Indigenous women who are not only committed to academic success but who use education as a pathway to healing, advocacy, and meaningful change across communities. Now in its fourth year at Algoma University, the scholarship provides $5,000 to Indigenous women entering their third or fourth year of study.
Returning to the Algoma U community as a keynote speaker during Indigenous History Month in 2021, Nolan delivered powerful reflections on healing, identity, and reclaiming space through education and sport. His induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible when strength, purpose, and community come together.
