Benedict, Ernest, 1918-2011

Benedict was born on 14 July 1918 to Charles and Julia Jandreau Benedict, members of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. He married Florence Hopps on 20 September 1952. Benedict received his Bachelors of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University in Sociology and an honorary degree from Trent University in 1994.

Benedict worked with mentor Ray Fadden-Tehanetorens to organize the Akwesasne Mohawk Counsellor Organization, which visited historical sites while meeting with other Native nations and learning about their heritage while traveling in the eastern part of North America. Their travels would influence the formation of the White Roots of Peace in the mid-1930s.

Benedict started the North American Indian Traveling College with Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell, as a continuation of the Counsellor Organization. Benedict also founded Manitou College as an attempt to create a college composed of mostly Native Americans. The concept of a degree based on traditional Native knowledge was picked up by Syracuse University.

He inspired Operation Kanyengehaga, a tutoring program conceived by professor Bob Wells at St. Lawrence University.

Benedict was a lecturer and professor at Trent University, where he later served on the PhD committee for Native Studies candidates.