December 31st, 2024
Canadian Network on Cuba Tribute to Professor Keith Ellis
The Canadian Network on Cuba mourns the passing of Professor Keith Ellis and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. Keith devoted his life to scholarship, solidarity and the pursuit of justice, and leaves behind a tremendous legacy that resonates internationally. The Cuba solidarity movement in Canada, with this powerful inspiration from Keith, will continue our work with the immortal exemplary standard that he set.
Keith was a renowned scholar, translator, and figure in Latin American literature, and prominent in global Cuba solidarity. Professor Emeritus of Latin American Literature at the University of Toronto, Ellis was an unparalleled authority on the poetry and prose of Nicolás Guillén, Cuba's national poet and a voice of revolutionary humanism. His landmark study, Cuba’s Nicolás Guillén: Poetry and Ideology, not only won the prestigious Canadian Association of Hispanists Prize but also set a standard for critical scholarship that blends intellectual rigour with a deep commitment to social justice. His over 20 books and more than 100 articles, continue to influence generations of scholars, writers, and activists.
Keith’s profound connection to Cuba extended well beyond academia. He was an unwavering defender of the Cuban Revolution and its enduring message of equality, self-determination, human dignity and internationalism. As a member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, Casa de las Américas Literary Prize, and a leader in the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association in Toronto, he connected cultures and fostered understanding and collaboration between nations. His efforts earned him numerous accolades, including the Andrés Bello Medal from Venezuela, the Medal of the University of Havana, and an honorary doctorate from the same institution—making him one of the very few scholars to receive such a distinction. In 2014, Keith received the Friendship Medal given by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, in a ceremony held at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
Keith’s groundbreaking achievements were not confined to Latin America. In 1988, he became the first Black person to be named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, an honour that affirmed his standing as one of the most distinguished scholars in the country. Through his work, he illuminated the intersections of race, literature, and politics, providing a lens through which to understand the shared struggles and triumphs of the African and Latin American diasporas.
Even after retiring, Keith remained prolific, producing bilingual anthologies that celebrated the cultural connections between Spanish- and English-speaking Caribbean communities. His poetry—published in multiple countries and languages—revealed a soul attuned to the rhythms of resistance and renewal, a reflection of his lifelong dedication to bridging divides through art and advocacy.
It is impossible to talk of Keith, without mentioning his wife and partner, Zilpha Ellis. Keith and Zilpha embodied the highest example of teamwork and commitment, shared principles, and unconditional love between two people.
Keith Ellis was a mentor, a pioneer, and a beacon of hope in a world that often seeks to silence voices like his. His contributions to the global Cuba solidarity movement and his belief in the power of literature to transform societies will continue to inspire us all.
As we celebrate his remarkable life, we honour his unwavering commitment to justice, his boundless intellectual curiosity, and his enduring faith in the human spirit. Rest in power, Professor Keith Ellis. Your legacy will live on in the movements you supported, the minds you shaped, and the hearts you touched.
- Isaac Saney, Samantha Hislop, and Julio Fonseca, Executive Committee, Canadian Network on Cuba