In 1882, Thomas Daniel Green (Kanyen’kehàka, Six Nations) became one of the first Indigenous students to graduate from McGill.
A brilliant student, Green was consistently at the top of his classes, both at the Mohawk Institute in Brantford, Ontario, and at McGill University. After graduating with a degree in Engineering he became the first Indigenous person in Canada to become a professional land surveyor. Though prejudice slowed his professional achievements, Green launched a successful career.
Green impressed on the hockey rink as well – upon graduating from McGill, he was recruited to play for the Ottawa Hockey Club, and in 1886 the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, the world’s first hockey league. He eventually became the Association’s president.