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 31st. 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 2023 recipients

Jyostina (Jo) Custead (Saskatoon)

Jyotsna (Jo) Custead is a devoted volunteer with multiple organizations in Saskatoon and throughout Saskatchewan. Jo has a passion for community development, evidenced by her extensive history of volunteer work. Over the past 40 years, she has served on numerous boards and committees across various sectors such as health, art, music and culture, justice, and women’s issues. Jo has a passion for equality and assisting leaders with removing barriers faced by women in the workplace. She was recognized with the 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal for her work in the areas of employment equity and women’s issues in the workplace.

Suzanne Eisler (Wawota)

Suzanne Eisler spent the duration of her career as a farmer in the Wawota area while contributing to her community as a dedicated board member and fundraiser. In 2014, Suzanne founded Wawota’s “Little Dresses for Africa” which makes clothes for children living in developing countries. To date, they have made over 13,000 articles of clothing for children in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. In addition, they have created pencil cases they fill with donated supplies. Throughout the pandemic, the organization made masks, headbands, scrub caps, and bags for Saskatchewan health care workers. Suzanne has made a significant contribution to volunteerism in her community and across the world.

Major (Ret’d) Brad Hrycyna, C.D (Regina)

Major (retired) Brad Hrycyna is a dedicated volunteer and board member who contributes to many organizations in Regina and across Saskatchewan. In addition to serving 37 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, Brad has been an active volunteer and has a passion for honouring Saskatchewan veterans. Brad is the President of the Royal United Services Institute of Regina, which works to promote the cause of remembrance. He has created and led projects such as the creation of a Victoria Cross Wall of Honour exhibit at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. Additionally, Brad researched and raised money to build 28 pedestals around the Cenotaph in Regina to remember veterans’ stories for generations to come.

Jim Meikle (Balcarres)

Jim Meikle’s volunteer contributions to preserving Saskatchewan’s agriculture history are significant. He has shared his passion and expertise with the community while working as a mechanic and owner of a machinery business for over 50 years. Jim has hosted an annual threshing bee for 16 years, restoring antique tractors and farm machinery with a strong emphasis on youth engagement, and with the purpose of sharing history. He has accomplished a lifetime of volunteering and helping people within his community of Balcarres. The “Tullymet Uber,” provided by Jim, has given many rides to seniors to Regina for medical appointments. He has served as a Community Hall board member for 25 years and continues to be an active volunteer in his community.

Douglas Osborn (Saskatoon)

Douglas Osborn has dedicated his talents to supporting his community of Saskatoon throughout his career as a lawyer. Douglas was a board member of Ronald McDonald House for 18 years, serving as both President and Vice President. He was a co-chair of a campaign that raised $12 million for the organization. In both 1991 and 2010, he was the chair of the committee arranging hosts for teams attending the World Junior Hockey Championships. Douglas shared his expertise as a coach with both of his daughters’ soccer teams. He was a board member of the Royal University Hospital Foundation for seven years, serving as chair. Douglas has been active with several charities and shown an exceptional amount of generosity to make his community a better place.

Jeanette Tonita (Regina)

Jeanette Tonita’s volunteerism in the City of Regina has been both inspiring and impactful. Jeanette has been on the board of directors of the Mackenzie Infant Care Centre for 15 years, which provides childcare for the Shirley Schneider Support Centre at Balfour Collegiate. She served six years as the chair and is currently vice-chair, supporting with organizing events such as the RCMP Charity Ball. Jeanette is a 25-year Board member of “Karnevalgesellschaft Harmonie,” an affiliate of the German Club of Regina. She has volunteered for years with many organizations in Regina that support important causes such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Pat Tymchatyn (Saskatoon)

Pat Tymchatyn has left a positive influence on many organizations in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan. Pat has shown exemplary leadership and volunteerism spanning over 40 years, contributing to many areas, including arts and culture. She is involved with multiple boards and committees in Saskatoon, including Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, Canadian Association of Festivals and Special Events, and the Meadowgreen Community Association Saskatoon City Advisory Board. Pat is especially active within the Saskatoon Ukrainian community. She was involved with implementing the recognition of Holodomor week, organizing numerous cultural events, and more recently, welcoming an influx of Ukrainian people to Saskatchewan in her current role as President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatoon Branch.

Hazel Urbanoski (Sturgis)

Hazel Urbanoski is a creative and passionate volunteer who has positively impacted many people in her community of Sturgis. As a teacher she had a positive impact on children, and she continues to be a valuable community member through active involvement in several volunteer activities. Hazel participated in the Sturgis Communities in Bloom as the project organizer. She is also a board member of multiple organizations and has done extensive and diverse volunteer work in many sectors. Hazel is currently the President of the Grace United Church Women and served as Town Councillor for 15 years, supporting major projects.

Dr. Judy White (Saskatoon)

Dr. Judy White has lent her professional social work and education skills to several organizations working towards bettering the lives of others in Saskatchewan. Judy is the former Dean at the University of Regina in the Faculty of Social Work and a former Commissioner at the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. She has served as chair, co-chair and member of organizations contributing to benefit many groups of people. This includes past co-chair and member of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers Justice Committee; past chair of the Saskatoon Settlement and Integration Coordinating Committee; past President for the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women and International Women of Saskatoon.

Helga Wold (Frontier)

Helga Wold began volunteering in her community of Frontier more than six decades ago. Helga is a member of Ladies’ Rink Club where she continues to bake pies for weekly fundraisers. She is also a member of Southline Palliative Care Committee, which fully furnished a palliative care room. Helga has knit prayer shawls and served as treasurer for the Frontier United Church for many years. She is a member of Southline Quilters, the Senior Citizen’s Group, the Fowl Supper Committee, and continues to make a strong impact on the community through her voluntarism. Helga has lived a life of service to her community and given her time and talents to make this province a better place.