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Doctor O Lane
Situated to the south of Carlton Street and east of Sherbourne Street lies a narrow path that extends approximately 350 metres from east to west. This pathway is recognized as Doctor O Lane, a tribute to Doctor Oronhyatekha (pronounced as o-ron-ya-day-ga), who made history in 1867 as the second Indigenous individual in Canada to acquire a medical degree. Interestingly, this lane goes by his past residence — a Second Empire architectural house — located at 209 Carlton Street, where he lived for over ten years.
Dr. Oronhyatekha, born in 1841 at the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve close to Brantford, Ontario, was of Mohawk heritage. His name translates to “Burning Cloud” or “Burning Sky,” though he was also referred to by his Christian name, Peter Martin, or the affectionate moniker, Dr. O.
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Doctor O Lane
Oronhyatekha experienced Canada’s residential school system first-hand. He attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School, located near Brantford, Ontario and now considered to be one of Canada’s longest-running residential schools. During the school’s operation, which lasted from 1828 until 1970, it is estimated that over 15,000 Indigenous students attended the Institute. Recent archaeological evidence has revealed over forty graves on the school’s former property, today home to the Woodland Cultural Centre.
Similar to many other residential schools, the Mohawk Institute focused on trades-based education. While at the Institute, Oronhyatekha received training in shoemaking; however, he aspired for higher academic pursuits. His eloquence in delivering a welcome speech to the then-Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) led to an invitation to Oxford University, making him the first-recorded Canadian Indigenous scholar there. Following his time at Oxford, he pursued medical studies at the University of Toronto, becoming the second Indigenous individual in Canada to receive a medical degree, after Peter Edmund Jones in 1866. Throughout his life, Oronhyatekha faced racism and discrimination due to his Indigenous heritage. The prejudice was prevalent during his era, both in the United States and Canada.
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Doctor O Lane
Beyond his medical pursuits, he was chosen for the Grand General Indian Council of Ontario and Quebec and actively championed Indigenous rights. As part of his role on the Council, he fought the constraints of the racism inherent in Canada’s 1876 Indian Act, the principal law through which the Canadian government interacted with local First Nations governments and Indigenous communities. Oronhyatekha’s championing for Indigenous rights is also evident in the way he supported the Electoral Franchise Act, that would have gave Indigenous peoples the right to vote.
Dr. Oronhyatekha also led the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF), an institution now known as Foresters Financial. Its primary goal was to offer fraternal insurance coverage to the working population. Under Doctor Oronhyatekha’s guidance, it flourished to become one of the most prominent fraternal insurance providers in North America, boasting a membership of over 275,000 individuals. Dr. Oronhyatekha also supported gender equality and opened membership to women.
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Doctor O Lane
The challenges Dr. Oronhyatekha faced, including racial biases, only highlight his accomplishments in light of the systemic barriers present during his time. The renaming of the lane near his former house in his honour embodies the intentions of several of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action regarding education, reconciliation and commemoration (including 62-65 and 79-83). The re-naming of city roads, such as “Dr. O Lane”, are steps towards fostering public awareness of Indigenous lives and accomplishments, countering narratives that may marginalize or erase Indigenous histories.
Learn more about Doctor Oronhyatekha at the Heritage Toronto plaque, located near his former residence at 160 Gerrard Street East.
Additional Resources:
Official Six Nations of the Grand River website
Bursaries for Indigenous Medical Students
Woodland Cultural Centre website
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