Released on May 3, 2000
Saskatchewan today recognized 20 citizens who have been awarded national andprovincial honours for accomplishments in arts and culture, medicine, science,
public and military service, and for acts of bravery.
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson joined Lieutenant Governor Dr. Lynda
Haverstock and Mr. Harley Olsen, Premier Roy Romanow, Speaker of the
Legislative Assembly Ron Osika, Provincial Secretary Jack Hillson, Opposition
Leader Elwin Hermanson, Liberal leader Dr. Jim Melenchuk and MLAs from the
recipients' constituencies to honour these citizens at a ceremony at the Hotel
Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza.
"On this special day we take time to gather and honour those who have made a
lasting impression on our lives," Haverstock said. "From all corners of the
province, stories of dedication, hard work, volunteerism and bravery show the
kind of people who represent the heart and soul of this province."
The ceremony honoured recipients of the Order of Canada, Saskatchewan Order of
Merit, Bravery Decorations, Meritorious Service Award, Saskatchewan Volunteer
Medal and the Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards.
"Saskatchewan's richest resource is our people," Romanow said. "It is only
fitting that we recognize them together, not only for their individual efforts,
but for the inspiration they provide for all."
"The citizens being honoured today have contributed in different ways to the
quality our lives and those of future generations," Hillson said. "Coming from
all walks of life, they exemplify the courage and selfless spirit that built
Saskatchewan and have made it prosper."
After a luncheon in their honour, the recipients were invited to attend a
sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislature where they were introduced by their
respective members of the legislative assembly.
This honours event is unique in Canada and has been held annually since 1985.
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For more information, contact:
Michael Jackson, Secretary
Saskatchewan Honours Advisory Council
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-3109
Biographies – Honours Recognition Event 2000
ORDER OF CANADA
Boyd Anderson
Member of the Order of Canada
Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
As a rancher, writer and local government councillor, Boyd Anderson has made
important contributions to the rural life of Saskatchewan. He has served in
many capacities with the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and the
Canadian Cattlemen's Association where he was a spokesperson for producers of
cattle, sheep and grain. In addition, he helped plan and build Waverly
Gardens, a popular skating and curling rink for the community.
Douglas Knott
Member of the Order of Canada
Professor Emeritus of Crop Science and Plant Ecology at the University of
Saskatchewan, Mr. Knott is internationally recognized for his major
contributions to our understanding of rust resistance in wheat. He is also
credited with the development of several improved varieties of durum wheat.
Over the years, his work has had a direct impact on the production and export
of Canadian wheat. A Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, he was
also inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Kenneth Mitchell
Member of the Order of Canada
Professor of English at the University of Regina, Mr. Mitchell is also an
actor, novelist, playwright, short story writer, screenwriter and poet, whose
works frequently reflect his prairie origins. Much of his writing has been
translated into several languages and his plays have been produced abroad,
presenting images of Canada to an international audience. He is a literary
ambassador, lecturing in various countries and promoting the study of Canadian
literature at home.
Dr. Geoffrey Pawson
Member of the Order of Canada
Dr. Pawson is founder of the Ranch Ehrlo Society, a non-profit, long-term
residential treatment centre for youth coping with drug addiction, alcoholism
and family and social problems. As Executive Director of "The Ranch," he has,
over its thirty-year history, developed innovative programs from which more
than 2,500 young people have graduated. Thanks to his dedication, many
troubled youth have successfully changed the direction of their lives.
SASKATCHEWAN ORDER OF MERIT
Dr. Marc Baltzan
Officer of the Order of Canada
Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Dr. Baltzan started a renal transplant program in Saskatoon, which has drawn
international attention for its high rate of success. He continues his
practice and research in renal medicine, including kidney transplants and
dialysis. He is the author of a large number of articles in professional
journals and essays, and makes frequent contributions to newspapers and
television. Dr. Baltzan has served as chair of the Canadian Association of
Professors of Medicine. He is the only Saskatchewan person to be named a Master
of the American College of Physicians.
Gordon MacMurchy
Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Gordon MacMurchy has devoted a lifetime of service to community, sports and
politics in Saskatchewan. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall
of Fame in 1989. Mr. MacMurchy was a prominent cabinet member in the
government of Allan Blakeney, serving as minister of education, housing,
municipal affairs, transportation, Indian affairs, and agriculture. Mr.
MacMurchy was an innovator in his cabinet portfolios: among other things he
introduced physical education as a core curricular subject, publicly-supported
rural kindergartens and teacher collective bargaining in education.
The Honourable Dr. Stephen Worobetz
Officer of the Order of Canada
Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Recipient of the Military Cross
Stephen Worobetz served as a medical officer with the Canadian Army in the
Italian campaign in the Second World War, during which he was awarded the
Military Cross for courage under fire. Dr. Worobetz was the first person of
Ukrainian origin to be appointed Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan; he served
with dedication and distinction as the Queen's representative. He and his wife
established the Stephen and Michelene Worobetz Foundation to promote
voluntarism and assist charitable organizations.
BRAVERY DECORATIONS
Clinton Carter
Roy Littlewolfe
Cecil Wolfe
Recipients of the Medal of Bravery
On October 27, 1997, Clinton Carter, Roy Littlewolfe and Cecil Wolfe pulled two
little girls and their grandfather from a house engulfed in flames in Onion
Lake, Saskatchewan. Mr. Littlewolfe and Mr. Wolfe were driving by when they
saw a severely burned woman run out of a house and collapse to the ground. As
they rushed to her side, a man emerged from the inferno, also severely injured,
and alerted them that two children and their grandfather were trapped by the
fire. The rescuers immediately smashed the windows and Mr. Littlewolfe ran
inside, found the five-year-old girl on the living room floor and brought her
to safety. He then went back in with Mr. Wolfe, and with Mr. Carter who had
arrived at the scene. Determined to find the two remaining victims, the men
searched through the intense heat and smoke until they located them, both
unconscious. Sadly, neither the elderly man carried outside by Mr. Wolfe nor
the three-year-old girl rescued by Mr. Carter survived the ordeal.
Kieth Heck
Recipient of the Medal of Bravery
On August 22, 1998, Kieth and Ron Heck pulled Shelley Radies and her husband
from the bottom of a farm well in Glidden, Saskatchewan. As Mrs. Radies'
husband was cleaning a cistern, he was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and
collapsed into the water below. Mrs. Radies telephoned for help, then climbed
down the narrow passage and held her husband's head above water. When her
neighbours Kieth and Ron Heck arrived at the scene, Mrs. Radies had also lost
consciousness. Although aware that the fumes in the enclosure created a grave
risk to their own lives, they climbed down one after the other then struggled
up the ladder with the limp bodies. Mrs. Radies recovered soon afterwards but
sadly, her husband could not be revived.
Firefighter Brock Knipfel
Firefighter Donald McMillan
Recipients of the Medal of Bravery
On May 11, 1997, twelve rescuers combined their efforts to save the life of a
man trapped inside his burning vehicle following a collision between two semi-
trailers at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Liquid asphalt from the ruptured pup-
trailer of one vehicle had spilled onto a large area of the Trans-Canada
highway and seven-metre high flames were shooting into the sky. With complete
disregard for their own safety, the rescuers worked side by side, braving
intense heat and smoke during the long, arduous and dangerous process of
extricating the injured driver from the burning wreckage. Some men doused the
screaming victim and attempted to contain the flames with extinguishers and
water supplies, while others managed to attach a chain from a pay loader to the
tractor unit and pull it away from its burning trailer. Using the jaws of
life, the rescuers finally were able to pry open the driver's door and free the
man. Moments after the victim was carried to safety, the entire area was
enveloped in an enormous fireball.
Donald Therens
Recipient of the Medal of Bravery
On June 5, 1997, Donald Therens rescued a man from a burning car near Regina.
Mr. Therens was driving to work at sunrise when he witnessed a collision
between a tractor-trailer and a car on the Trans-Canada Highway. He
immediately rushed to the burning car and found the driver trapped inside.
Unable to open either of the front doors, he crawled inside through the back
door on the driver's side and despite the intensifying fire, managed to free
the injured victim. He then kicked out the driver's door and, aided by others,
dragged the victim to safety moments before fire destroyed the vehicle.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Le Gendarme Hervé Millette
Recipient of the Meritorious Service Award
Le 26 octobre 1994, le gendarme Millette et trois collègues, en mission de
reconnaissance de routine à Haïti, sont arrivés sur les lieux d'un accident de
la route qui s'est soldé par un camion renversé et de nombreux passagers
blessés. Ils devaient agir rapidement puisque de l'essence coulait du camion
et qu'une foule grandissante de curieux fumait sur les lieux, représentant un
danger pour la sécurité des victimes et des secouristes. Les quatre membres de
la GRC ont évalué la situation et pris contrôle des lieux. En l'absence de
contact radio, deux d'entre eux se sont rendus à un hôpital proche pour
demander de l'aide, mais à leur retour le problème de circulation avait empiré
et les secours n'étaient pas arrivés. Voyant que les fournitures médicales
diminuaient rapidement, les policiers ont réquistionné un camion à plate-forme
pour transporter à l'hôpital les blessés les plus graves. Tout au long de
cette difficile épreuve, le gendarme Millette et ses collègues ont fait preuve
d'un leadership et d'un professionalisme exceptionnels et ont fait grand
honneur au Canada.
Constable Hervé Millette
Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal
On October 26, 1994, Constable Millette and three colleagues were performing a
routine reconnaissance mission in Haiti when they came upon a road accident
that had resulted in an overturned truck with many wounded passengers. Fuel
spilling from the overturned truck further compounded the need for quick action
and effective crowd control as a growing number of onlookers were smoking,
posing a safety hazard to the victims and the rescuers. The four R.C.M.P.
members assessed the situation and secured the scene. With no radio contact
possible, two members were dispatched to a nearby hospital for medical help,
only to return later to a growing traffic problem and still no emergency
assistance. With medical supplies quickly dwindling, the members commandeered
a flat-bed truck and loaded the most critically injured to be taken to the
hospital. Throughout the ordeal, the four men displayed outstanding leadership
and professionalism, and brought great credit to Canada.
SASKATCHEWAN VOLUNTEER MEDAL
Ron Kruzeniski
Recipient of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
Ron Kruzeniski has shown a keen sensitivity and commitment to issues facing
blind and visually impaired persons. He has served as chair of the Canadian
National Institute for the Blind provincially and vice-president nationally.
He has been chairman, deputy chairman and trustee of the Regina Separate School
Board and vice-chair for the Regina Public Library Board. Other volunteer
activities include the Canadian Cancer Society, Archdiocese of Regina, Catholic
Family Services, Ranch Ehrlo Society, Regina Plains Community College, Disabled
Persons Employment Service, and Canadian Bar Association.
Thérèse LeClaire
Recipient of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
Thérèse LeClaire has a history of over 50 years of volunteering with
organizations at the local, provincial, national and international levels. She
was active with Canadian Save the Children, initiated the Regina Early Learning
Centre for Aboriginal children and began the Valentine Tree Program, where
school children collect money for children in a Third World country. Mrs.
LeClaire was provincial president of the Catholic Women's League. She received
the Best Actress Award for the Dominion Drama Festival. Her involvement in
Canadian unity led her to become a member of the Saskatoon Canadian Club's Task
Force on Canadian Unity.
Clark Lewis
Recipient of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
Mr. Lewis has been a volunteer for 50 years. In the field of agriculture he
has been an Agriculture Fair judge and served as a director of the Fairmede
Agricultural Society for 40 years and secretary-treasurer for 26 years. Mr.
Lewis was a charter member of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Societies
Association, serving in all positions including president. His voluntarism
includes committee service with the Wheat Pool for 30 years. Clark Lewis is a
person who puts the needs of the community and others ahead of his own and his
advice is often sought out in matters far removed from his occupation of
farming.
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S CARING CANADIAN AWARD
Muriel Jarvis
Recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
A former nurse at a long-term care facility, Muriel Jarvis has committed her
life to improving the health of others, both in her professional and voluntary
involvements. She helped create a training program for non-professional staff
working at special care homes and helped develop the Evergreen Neighbourly
Services, offering seniors assistance to enable them to remain in their own
homes with safety and security. Miss Jarvis is working to change the focus of
geriatric care from custodial physical care to holistic care, by fostering
independence, and actively supporting recreational programs, physical and
occupational therapy, and pastoral care.
Samuel McAdam
Recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Sam McAdam has been committed to Scouts Canada and the young people it serves
for more than twenty-five years. He was involved in almost every aspect of
scouting, from the camps, to fundraising, to training leaders. He helped
organize a winter weekend of outdoor events called the Arctic Daze and helped
initiate a community service project involving paper recycling, which became an
annual event. A local farmer, he has also offered his farm as a site for
weekend camps, his pick-up truck for bottle drives, his grain truck for paper
collection, and his tractor and wagon for hay rides. In addition, Mr. McAdam
is a youth group counsellor in his church and a drummer for the Melfort Legion
Pipe Band.