Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal

National Status

In 1998, the Government of Canada accorded status to the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal after national and provincial orders, under other national decorations and medals. This means that recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal are entitled to wear it on national occasions and recipients of Canada's national honours who also receive Saskatchewan honours may wear both in the sequence approved by the Governor General.

Insignia

Designed by Jack Glasser of Regina, winner of a provincial competition.

The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal is silver, circular in form, and suspended by a V-shaped clasp from a ribbon of green and gold, the provincial colours.

• Bears the Saskatchewan shield of arms
• The Crown and the motto Nos ipsos dedimus (We Gave of Ourselves).

Recipients also receive a circular silver lapel pin displaying the Saskatchewan shield of arms superimposed on a "V," a certificate, and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters S.V.M. The medal is presented by the Lieutenant Governor in an annual ceremony.

The names and photos of the recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal are displayed adjacent to the Athabasca Gallery on the second floor of the Legislative Building.

Nomination criteria

Any Canadian citizen who is a current or former long-term resident of Saskatchewan is eligible for nomination for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.

Not Accepted

• Posthumous nominations.
• Organizations, only individuals.
• Sitting members of Parliament or the Legislature or members of the judiciary who still hold office.

Any individual or group may submit nominations. The Saskatchewan Honours Advisory Council recommends recipients based entirely on the information submitted with the nomination.

Completing the Nomination Form

Only one nomination form is required per nominee.

Please provide:

• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number as well as the nominee's.
• Summary statement briefly explaining the reasons you are nominating this person.

Support Letters

Please provide three to six letters from others in support of the nomination, explaining why your nominee is worthy of this honour. Do not exceed six letters. They must be on 8-1/2 x 11" paper, typed or clearly hand-written in dark ink.

Additional Information

You may provide material in support of your nomination. Please ensure that this material is succinct and directly relevant to the nomination. All support materials must be on 8½ x 11" paper, typed, reproduced or clearly hand-written in dark ink.

Acceptable

• Including an expanded statement of your reasons for the nomination
• Biography of the nominee
• List of achievements

Non-acceptable

• Cassettes
• Videotapes
• Compact discs
• Photographs
• Albums
• Newspaper clippings (unless photocopied onto 8-1/2 x 11" paper) as they will be discarded

Submitting a Nomination

Nominations are accepted year-round; the deadline is October 18th.Nominations received after this date will be considered the following year. The person submitting the nomination must sign nomination forms.

All information provided to us is confidential and exclusively for the use of the Honours Advisory Council. We ask that you not inform the nominee of his or her nomination.

Submit signed nomination form and materials by:

• Email
• Mail
• Courier; or
• In-person

Address

Saskatchewan Honours and Awards Program
Protocol Office
300 - 3085 Albert Street
REGINA SK S4S 0B1

Contact Us

Phone: 306-787-8965
Toll free: 1-877-427-5505
Fax: 306-787-1269
Email: honours@gov.sk.ca

Acknowledgement of Nomination

You will receive an acknowledgement for your nomination in 14 days.

NOMINATE NOW

Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal 2019 recipients

Susan Conly (Macklin)

Susan has given her time and talents, supporting community organizations and initiatives. The completion of her community's history book, as a founding member of the Macklin New Horizon for Seniors Center and collaborating in records retention for the Lakeview Cemetery Board, are just a few of many examples. Susan has been a weekly editorial contributor to her local newspaper for many years, providing commentary and personal viewpoints on life, family and historical events. She has supported literacy in her community through her writings as a published author and a scholarship donor at the school level.

Sidney R. P. Gaudry (Regina)

Sidney has spent his adult life volunteering for numerous organizations including Scouts Canada, St. Luke's Anglican Church, the Canadian Ski Patrol System and St. John Ambulance. Some of his volunteering highlights include being a first aid volunteer at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, weekly ski patrol Thursdays and Saturdays (over decades of winters) at Mission Ridge and as a dedicated leader and instructor at St Luke's Anglican Church for over 30 years. He is a Member of the Order of St. John and has received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Bula Ghosh (Swift Current)

Bula started getting involved in the community shortly after moving to Canada in 1981. She has been extensively involved with many organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Yorkton Open Door Society, International Women of Swift Current, Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre, SaskCulture and Heritage Saskatchewan, just to name a few. She has been the president of Rotary Club Swift Current, board chair of Southwest Newcomer Centre, president of Southwest Multicultural Association, board member of South Saskatchewan Community Foundation and is a member of numerous other community organizations. In 2017, Bula received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Bart Hunter (Saskatoon)

Bart has given so much of his time to many community organizations, most recently as the chair of the 2019 Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. Other contributions to the community include volunteering for the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, Junior Achievement and the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame. Bart was also a member of the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club for 25 years. He received the National Philanthropy Day Award in 2011, and was named to the List of Top 100 Volunteers by CTV for Saskatoon's 100th Anniversary.

Lorraine Iversen (Ogema)

Lorraine has spent countless hours promoting and encouraging the arts in her community. She has held positions with the Ogema Adult Drama Club, Ogema Arts Council, Ogema Chamber of Commerce, Ogema Seniors' Group, Weyburn Chapter of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan, Lutheran Ladies, Newcomer Committee, Deep South Personal Care Home Board and the Deep South Pioneer Museum Board of Directors. She also belongs to a small group called Snip and Stitch, where she sews for charity. In 2011, she received the Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism award in the area of Heritage and Culture.

Bob Jeanneau (Saskatoon)

Bob's dedication and enduring commitment has helped to establish housing for more than 300 seniors in his community. He has been an active member in the Knights of Columbus for more than 60 years. While president of KC Charities Inc., Bob spearheaded the purchase of a 1.8-acre lot which was developed into a 62 suite seniors' residence. In 2000, an additional 16 units were added to the main building, followed by assisted living units completed in 2005. In 2012, 75 affordable apartments for seniors were developed in Saskatoon. He currently serves as chair of KC Charities' executive management committee, planning to expand to an additional 156 units of apartments and various support services. Bob has also served on the board of St. Anne's Home for 10 years and is a member of Holy Spirit Council.

Albert (Al) Kildaw (Herbert)

A volunteer for more than six decades, Al's accomplishments are numerous. A few of the organizations that have benefited from his generosity include the Prince Albert Minor Hockey Association, Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association, Prince Albert Kinsmen Minor Hockey Association, Community Futures Southwest, Saskatchewan Emergency Planners Association, East End Community Club, 1987 Pepsi Junior Curling National Championships, 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games Results Committee, Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism and Meals on Wheels. In 1982, Al became the first recipient of the Fred Schmidt Memorial Trophy for dedication to minor hockey in Prince Albert.

Gene Krepakevich (Yorkton)

A dedicated volunteer in Yorkton for 50 years, Gene has lent his time to a wide variety of organizations. He coached, billeted players and served on the executive and administration for the Yorkton Terriers junior hockey team and is a volunteer with the team to this day. Gene served as co-chair of the RBC Memorial Cup in Yorkton in 1999, and has also been involved with the Richie Hall Golf Classic, Yorkton Terriers' Golf Tournament and Rhythm and Ribs weekend. Gene was a dedicated member of the Kinsmen Club in Yorkton and the Treasurer of the Parkland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Society for more than 30 years.

Gordon McRae (Davidson)

As president of Davidson Branch #51 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Gord has worked diligently to keep the act of remembrance alive in the community. He has been a tireless supporter and leader in the provincial Air Cadet League, an involvement that spans four decades and includes 553 Sherlock Air Cadet Squadron, Davidson, 107 Spitfire Air Cadet Squadron, Saskatoon and the Air Cadet League of Saskatchewan. He also gives his time to the Davidson Golf Course and the Davidson Historical Society. He has been awarded the Area Director of the Year, a Certificate of Honour from the Air Cadet League of Canada, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and was the Davidson Citizen of the Year in 2019.

Joel Pedersen, C.D. (Saskatoon)

Joel Pedersen has been an active volunteer in Saskatchewan for over 30 years. Self-defense for women and youth, youth soccer in Prince Albert and Saskatoon, youth baseball and minor hockey in Saskatoon, Indigenous youth running and sport programs for the inner city in Saskatoon and Northern Saskatchewan are just a few examples of communities and organizations that have benefited from Joel's time and generosity. In 2018, Joel was named Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association's Fitness Leader of the Year. Joel has also received the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal.

Christine Ruys (Saskatoon)

Christine is the epitome of a volunteer in Saskatchewan. Her contributions are many, and include volunteering with Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatoon Zoo Society, Saskatoon Restorative Action Program, Saskatoon Folkfest, Wintershine Festival, Persephone Theatre, Fireworks Festival, Saskatoon Community Foundation, Development Appeals Board, Canada 150 New Year's Celebration, Don Narcisse Football Camp and Gala, Canadian Association of Police Boards Conference and Adelaide Park Churchill Community Association.

Jackie Schmidt (Regina)

Since moving to Regina in 2000, Jackie Schmidt has actively supported and advocated for the arts, culture and well-being of the city. She has been a dedicated board member, lending her leadership to organizations such as Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Civic Museum of Regina, Curtain Razors Theatre, Heritage Regina and Regina Symphony Orchestra. She was named Regina Symphony Orchestra's Outstanding Individual Volunteer in 2017. She is part of the Regina Cultural Trailway project, creating an accessible network of cultural tours in the city. Regina Transition House and the Regina and District Food Bank have benefited from her fundraising efforts.