Jesse Wente (HBA ’96 Innis, Cinema Studies) is a broadcaster, culture commentator, educator, Indigenous arts advocate, and storyteller. On June 15, 2026, he will add Honorary Doctor of Laws to the list. As U of T News recently announced, Jesse will receive an honorary degree during Innis’s Class of 2026 Convocation ceremony this spring.
Congratulations, Jesse!
"Jesse Wente ... is recognized for his leadership in advancing Indigenous representation, storytelling and sovereignty across Canada's cultural institutions. From his more than 20-year-long career as a CBC film and culture critic to founding the Indigenous Screen Office and serving as Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts, his work has opened doors for countless Indigenous creatives, catalyzed difficult but necessary conversations, reshaped Canada's cultural landscape and led to a flourishing of Indigenous self-expression."
Photo of Jesse Wente, above, by John Paillé