Lloyd Axworthy

Former Canadian Foreign Minister

Lloyd Axworthy is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg. He served as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 2000. In the Foreign Affairs portfolio, Axworthy became internationally known for his advancement of the human security concept, including through the Ottawa Treaty – a landmark global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines.   Axworthy has served on the boards of the MacArthur Foundation, Human Rights Watch, STARS, the Canadian Landmines Foundation, the University of the Arctic and, among others, the Conference Board of Canada.   He is the recipient of multiple honourary doctorates. In 2010, he was made an honourary member of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and was given an Ojibwe name – Waapshki Pinaysee Inini, which means White Thunderbird Man. In 2012, he was given the title of Pipe Carrier by Indigenous Elders for his work through The University of Winnipeg.   Axworthy graduated in 1961 with a BA from United College (now The University of Winnipeg), followed by an MA and PhD from Princeton in 1963 and 1972.