Order Of Canada appointees. Image credit: Twitter handle of Gov Gen of Canada
Ottawa/CMEDIA: Among the 85 Order of Canada appointees, this year include Canadian sports icons such as Stacey Allaster, Donovan Bailey, and Angela James.
Among this year’s list of appointees also includes Canada’s first Indigenous female MP, the first MP for Nunavut, and a number of contributors to the arts, including Emmy-nominated actress Sandra Oh.
Considered one of Canada’s highest civilian honors, the Order of Canada is meant to recognize people who make “extraordinary contributions to the nation,” according to the Governor-General of Canada website.
Born in Windsor, Ont., and raised in Welland, Ont., Allaster was named as a companion, the highest of the honor’s three levels, which also include the level of officer and member. There can be no more than 165 living companions at any time.
Angela James is a pioneer in women’s hockey, first as a player and now as the general manager and part-owner of the Toronto Six women’s pro hockey team.
The appointees to the order included Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Canada’s first Indigenous woman elected as a member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories in 1988, and would go on to become the minister of state for northern development in the cabinet of past prime minister Paul Martin.
Continuing to be an advocate for Indigenous women in politics, she recently participated in a United Nations panel in Geneva to discuss that topic.
Former Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, joined Blondin-Andrew in the order.
After stepping away from federal politics in 2008, she became the president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in 2016, serving for a two-year term.
While Blondin-Andrew will be invested as an officer of the order, Karetak-Lindell is being invested as a member.
Other Indigenous leadersElders David and Imelda Perley of New Brunswick are included among the appointees for contributions to education around Wabanaki culture
Among the Order of Canada appointees are also a number of Canada’s top contributors to the arts including actress Sandra Oh, the Emmy Award nominated actress, who will be invested as an officer.
Best known for the hit TV series including Killing Eve and Grey’s Anatomy, Sarah has also lent her talents to the big screen in movies such as Turning Red and Under the Tuscan Sun.
Recently nominated for the Oscar for best makeup and hairstyle for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, Donald Mowat is also being recognized for his contributions to the big screen, having been the head of makeup and design on such films as The Fighter, 8 Mile, Sicario, Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Nocturnal Animals, Stronger, Blade Runner 2049.
Attic Records Alexander Mair is appointed as a member of the order on the music front, founder of the independent record label.
Attic represented a number of Canadian artists and groups including Anvil, Irish Rovers, Triumph and Teenage Head.
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