Saskatchewan Order of Merit

History and National Status

Established in 1985, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit is a prestigious recognition of excellence, achievement and contributions to the social, cultural and economic well being of the province and its residents. The Order recognizes individuals who have made their mark in such areas as the arts, agriculture, business and industry, community leadership, the occupations or professions, public service, research, and volunteer service. It takes precedence over all other provincial honours and awards.

In 1991 the Government of Canada granted recognition to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and a place in the national sequence of orders, decorations and medals; immediately after national orders and before national decorations. By seniority of its establishment, it ranks after l'Ordre national du Québec and before the Order of Ontario, Order of British Columbia, Alberta Order of Excellence, Order of Prince Edward Island, Order of Manitoba, Order of New Brunswick, Order of Nova Scotia, and Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This means that recipients of Saskatchewan's Order of Merit 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

The insignia worn by members of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit includes

• a silver and enamel medal representing a stylized western red lily bearing the Crown and Saskatchewan shield of arms,
• the provincial motto, Multis e gentibus vires (From many peoples strength), and 
• a gold and green ribbon, representing the provincial colours.

They also receive a lapel pin representing a stylized lily and bearing the Crown. Each member of the Order receives an official certificate in the form of Letters Patent, sealed with the Great Seal of the Province of Saskatchewan.

These are presented by the Lieutenant Governor at a formal investiture. Members of the Order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters S.O.M.

The Athabasca Gallery on the main floor of the Legislative Building contains the photographic portraits of the members of the Order and the citations read at their investiture.

Nomination criteria

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

• Nominations cannot be accepted for elected members of Parliament or the Legislature or members of the judiciary who are still holding office.
• Organizations are not eligible, only individuals.
• Posthumous nominations are accepted within one year of the date of death.

While nominations are accepted for volunteer or community service, this is only one field of endeavour among many recognized by the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. If your nominee's activities are primarily in the area of community service as a volunteer, we recommend that you consider nominating them for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.

Any individual or group can 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 include:

• 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 see below for acceptable and non-acceptable information.

Acceptable

• An expanded statement of your reasons for the nomination
• A biography of the nominee, and/or a list of his or her achievements.

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.

Non-acceptable

• Cassettes
• Videotapes
• compact discs
• photographs
• albums or 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 November 30. Nominations received after this date will be held over for consideration 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 Order of Merit 2024 Recipients

Tribal Chief Mark Arcand

Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Tribal Chief Mark Arcand is a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and has called Saskatoon home for 20 years. After serving as STC’s Vice Chief for two terms, he was elected as Tribal Chief on October 19, 2017, and re-elected in 2020. He was raised by his great grandparents in Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, who taught him to treat all people justly and to do what is right. His dedication towards reversing the intergenerational trauma brought on by residential schools and towards reconciliation are paramount in his work. He has done this by promoting cultural education and supporting families and youth as a priority to have a quality life.

Under Chief Arcand’s direction, STC opened an Emergency Wellness Centre in December 2021 with 50 beds, and has since expanded to 106 beds. The centre supports those experiencing homelessness by providing mental health supports, addictions counselling, housing, cultural supports, employment, transportation, food and clothing. In November 2022, the STC was contacted by the provincial government to expand the wellness centre after the closure of the Lighthouse. Chief Arcand understands the importance of communities, so he has held multiple open houses at the wellness centre to build strong, lasting relationships.

In addition to his work with the wellness centre, Chief Arcand established a vaccine clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Arcand established two mental health crisis vans that work in the Saskatoon Public School Division and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division. He also partnered with Medavie and Synergy 8 on a Health Bus that has a full dentist chair with a dental therapist, assistant and a paramedic with mental health supports. Chief Arcand also provides backpacks and school supplies to children in need through the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

In 2021, he was a recipient of the Badge, Star, and Shield presented by the Saskatoon Police Service (Police Badge of Honour). In 2022, Chief Arcand was the first First Nations recipient of the CTV Saskatoon Citizen of the Year and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan). In 2023, he received an honorary degree from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Applied Studies, in recognition of outstanding leadership, support for post-secondary education, as well as for steadfast commitment and contributions positively impacting the Saskatoon region and communities across the Saskatchewan. Outside of his work, Chief Arcand is a father of four and grandfather of four.

Brynn Boback-Lane

Brynn Boback-Lane has dedicated a 35-year career to the philanthropic sector, focusing on health care for mothers-to-be and children across Saskatchewan. She believes everyone, no matter their ethnicity, geography, or socio-economic status, deserves world-class health care. Brynn is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. She is a leader in advocating and fundraising efforts for Saskatchewan’s first and only dedicated maternal and children’s hospital and provincial programs that support this unique population. Over 25 years, she has raised more than $221 million, including the province’s single largest donation of $50 million from the hospital’s namesake, Jim Pattison. Brynn’s philanthropic and advocacy efforts secured important resources to build this hospital and acquire necessary furnishings, equipment and programming support for parent family-centred care.

In addition to this work, she has advanced the provincial Robotics/TeleDoc Health Program, which connects rural and northern citizens to care at the children’s hospital and the Telerobotic Ultrasound System in Gravelbourg. Brynn believes in purposeful partnerships. In collaboration with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Synergy 8 Community Builders, she initiated the province’s first Dental and Mental Health Bus. Since this collaboration began, the fleet has expanded to include additional mental health and wellness vans, serving nearly 700 mental health patients and 250 dental patients in their first year of operation throughout seven First Nations communities. The province has also benefited through Brynn’s leadership in the development of a provincial pediatric ambulance fleet and significant support to the air ambulance pediatric services. Most recently, she secured funding for Saskatchewan’s first pediatric portable MRI to be placed at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, ensuring that innovation and progressive care continues.

Brynn’s dedication and commitment to maternal and pediatric parents has positively changed and advanced the health care landscape, bringing forward solution driven strategies and significant investments in support of provincial maternal and child health in Saskatchewan. She has been recognized across the province and the nation for her achievements and is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan).

Floyd Favel

Floyd Favel takes on many roles in his day-to-day life. In addition to being the curator of the Poundmaker Museum and Gallery, he also serves as Director of the Sarasa Performance Lab Inc. and Director of the Miyawata Culture Inc. Floyd is also one of the organizers of the Poundmaker Indigenous Performance Festival. Additionally, Floyd is a Knowledge Keeper for his First Nation, preserving his community’s language, history, and ceremonies for future generations and producing books and films on these histories. He is also a dedicated volunteer in his community, a renowned lecturer, theatre director, and playwright. In 2022, his book of essays and performance theory “Earth Words” was published in Poland in the Polish language.

Born in Maidstone and raised in Poundmaker Cree Nation on Treaty 6 Territory, Floyd learned his traditional language and absorbed the teachings and history of his people. He has travelled, studied, and lectured internationally, from Toronto to the United States, Denmark, Italy, Poland and Sweden. Floyd started the Poundmaker Indigenous Performance Festival in 2017, which includes local performers and knowledge keepers, as well as international performers and guests. In 2020, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Multicultural Award for his work in bringing cultures together.

Floyd was a catalyst in reviving the Poundmaker Museum and Art Gallery, one of the most important Indigenous museums in the country, which has received tourists from across Canada and internationally. The museum was awarded the International Indigenous Tourism Award in 2018. As curator, he knows the historical displays and artifacts are important to telling the history of Poundmaker Cree Nation, the Battle of Cut Knife Hill in 1885, and the communities continued history and resilience through the years. It is his mission to correct inaccurate information and mend the reputation of Chief Poundmaker. The Poundmaker Museum advocated to have the late Chief’s charges for treason formally exonerated by the federal government, which occurred on May 23, 2019.

Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos

Dr. Hadjistavropoulos is an internationally recognized psychologist, researcher, academic, and mentor. He is a leading contributor in his work on pain assessment and management in older adults and those suffering from dementia, including those living in long term care. He immigrated to Canada and studied at McGill University and the University of Saskatchewan where he developed long lasting relationships. He takes an evidence-based approach to increase the likelihood that older people receive world-class pain assessment and management. He previously served as President of the Canadian Psychological Association and is currently a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Director of the Centre on Aging and Health at the University of Regina. Stanford University has recognized Dr. Hadjistavropoulos as being in the world’s top two per cent of cited scientists. His lab developed the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate scales, allowing for better understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of pain in those experiencing cognitive decline. This assessment tool has been translated into over 10 languages.

Dr. Hadjistavropoulos published over 250 peer reviewed papers and book chapters as well as seven books. He understands the importance of sharing this groundbreaking research with the public in an interactive way. Starting in 2019-20, he, along with collaborating partners, launched the #SeePainMoreClearly social media campaign and website. This campaign shared key pain assessment approaches in dementia care. This campaign received millions of unique social media impressions and was featured in many news stories. In addition to his research, Dr. Hadjistavropoulos mentored many graduate students who went on to be leaders in the field of psychology. He is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Renu Kapoor, S.V.M.

Renu Kapoor is a longtime community volunteer, counsellor and advocate. Renu immigrated from India, where she earned a master’s degree in social work. She earned another master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has called Saskatchewan home for nearly 60 years, and she has worked as a mental health and addictions counsellor for over 30 years. Renu worked for the Saskatchewan Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, helping thousands of individuals through health challenges. Her hard work has led to systemic changes that improved how those struggling with mental health and addictions issues are viewed and treated. She established the province’s first methadone clinic and has been a tireless advocate in reducing the stigma surrounding those facing addictions issues. Though she has been retired for 20 years, she has continued working with several employee assistance programs and has served on boards such as the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions, Regina Public Library, the YWCA, the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, and the Regina Airport Authority. Renu is a respected, longtime supervisor and mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students studying social work and psychology at the University of Regina.

Renu is also a strong proponent of multiculturalism and embodies Saskatchewan’s motto, “from many peoples strength.” In 2017, Renu founded Cultural Connections Regina, an organization that fosters cultural connections and understanding. Their fundraising event, India Night, brings approximately 700 people together, raising approximately $150,000, or more, every year. She has also organized the Indian Pavilion at Regina’s Mosaic cultural festival and has served with numerous multicultural organizations in Saskatchewan. In 2007, she was selected for a YWCA Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Regina. She is a recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan).

Curtis Kleisinger

Curtis Kleisinger is a highly respected leader in Saskatchewan education and has worked with disadvantaged youth for much of his career. He was the founding Principal and is the current Executive Director of Mother Teresa Middle School (MTMS), which opened in 2011. The school was the flagship program of the One Life Makes a Difference Foundation. Curtis serves as a leader of innovation for the school’s Board of Directors. MTMS works with inner-city and Indigenous youth, supporting them and their families beyond the school walls. MTMS supports students as they develop their personal and cultural identities, allowing them to take pride in who they are while overcoming challenges. Under Curtis’s direction, the school has helped hundreds of students conquer near-insurmountable odds to reach their full potential academically and personally. Curtis is often recognized for the enthusiasm he displays in working not only with students, but also with their families.

Curtis has dedicated many years to various veteran’s causes and has worked to recognize and honour the sacrifices made by Saskatchewan citizens during times of conflict. He has volunteered with the Corps of Commissaires South Saskatchewan, the Royal Regina Rifles, the Royal Regina Rifles Trust Fund, and the Saskatchewan War Memorial Committee. He has worked to ensure that retired members of the Canadian Forces find meaningful work when their military service comes to an end. He was instrumental in raising funds to honour the Regina Rifle Regiment on the 80^th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024, and in 2008 produced Vigil 1914-1918, where the names of all Canadians who perished in the First World War were projected on the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. Additionally, he has combined his passion for education and veterans by taking high school students to the 90^th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Curtis has served two terms on the judicial advisory committee for the Province of Saskatchewan. He received the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Commendation in 2009 and is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan.)

Brad Wall

Brad Wall served as Saskatchewan’s 14^th Premier from 2007 to 2018. He was the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Swift Current for almost 20 years starting in 1999. During his time as Premier, Brad focused on leading a collective change in the provincial spirit with bold goals for growth and national leadership for Saskatchewan. Sustainable population growth was a top priority, and under his leadership, the province’s population exceeded 1.1 million people for the first time. Together with his colleagues, he implemented initiatives focused on growth, including strengthening immigration goals and related settlement programming and introducing the Graduate Retention Program, incentivizing Saskatchewan’s recent graduates to remain in the province. He made the case for a focus on growth not as an economic goal in and of itself, but as a way to build a stronger economy and a more sustainable tax base that can afford initiatives that improve the quality of life for all residents. This includes income tax reductions that dropped over 110,000 low-income residents from the provincial tax roll entirely, lowering education property taxes, eliminating the waitlist for housing for those with intellectual disabilities, expanding rural and remote internet and cellular coverage, increasing day care spaces, and tripling the provincial income assistance levels for low-income seniors. Additionally, significantly more doctors and nurses are working in the province; the Children’s Hospital, Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford, Mosaic Stadium, and new schools, hospitals and long-term care beds all came to fruition under his leadership.

During Brad Wall’s tenure as Premier, Saskatchewan’s public finances earned their first ever AAA credit rating. Saskatchewan also became the first jurisdiction in North America to recognize Holodomor, the man-made famine in Ukraine, in passing The Holodomor Act.

Today, Brad runs his own business and is a partner with his son in a yearling ranch operation in Southwest Saskatchewan. His volunteer activities have included being a member of the Canadian Cattle Association Advocacy and Stakeholders Relations Committee, raising money and awareness for Breakaway Roping as a second rodeo event for women; chairman of the successful STARS Ambulance Helicopter Fleet Replacement effort; and led a successful fundraising initiative with the Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation and Brayden’s Close Cuts for Cancer. He and his wife Tami live in Cypress Hills, and they have three grown children.

Colonel (Ret’d) Malcolm Young, C.D.

Colonel (Ret’d) Malcolm Young, C.D., served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 32 years, holding several senior appointments provincially and nationally. Colonel Young served on operations both domestically and internationally, and he was deployed to Afghanistan for a year-long assignment as the Senior NATO advisor to the Vice Chief of the General Staff, the second in command of the Afghan National Army. Colonel Young deployed in response to natural disasters in Western Canada both during Operations PEREGRINE and LENTUS.

His dedication to supporting others extends to active service members, veterans, and their families through advocacy. Colonel Young’s focus, while serving and in retirement, is on educating Canadians about the significant contribution of the Canadian military through commemorative events and activities. Currently, Colonel Young is the President of the North Saskatchewan Regimental Senate and Trust, he is a member of the Branch 63 Royal Canadian Legion, and he serves as the appointed Program Director responsible for planning Saskatoon’s Remembrance Day and Decoration Day annual services attended by thousands of local citizens. He is a volunteer with the “Canada Remembers Our Heroes” initiative that documents and communicates the sacrifice of Canadian Veterans from multiple generations.

In June 2023, he co-led the 100^th Anniversary of the Next of Kin Memorial Avenue at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon. The Memorial Avenue is a designated military national historic sight that continues the tradition of planting and dedicating trees to deceased service members with over 1,200 trees named, the only such site in Canada. Colonel Young strives to incorporate inclusivity, sharing and preserving diverse narratives in the commemorative projects he participates in. Colonel Young integrated the history of the little‑known commemoration of Indigenous soldiers in the 100^th Anniversary project through recognition and ceremony. This successful event was meaningful and significant to all who attended.

Colonel Young is the recipient of General Campaign Star-Southwest Asia, Canada 125 Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan), the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal, Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, and the Commander of the Canadian Army Command Commendation.

Concurrent to his military career, Colonel Young also held management positions in the Credit Union and financial service technology sector for 36 years, where he worked on teams that advanced the use of innovative technologies to the betterment of all Canadians.

Greg Yuel

Greg Yuel is a highly respected businessman and philanthropist dedicated to making positive change across various sectors from sports, to health, to Indigenous arts and fine arts. He has helped Saskatchewan thrive economically, culturally and socially. Greg is known province-wide for his generosity, humility and dedication to charitable causes. He is currently the President of the PIC Investment Group. He understands the importance of building and growing healthy communities. Greg and his wife, Olivia, have donated millions of dollars to building Mosaic Stadium, Remai Modern Art Gallery, the Gordie Howe Sport Complex, the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, the Rick Hansen Foundation, and the Wanuskewin Artist in Residence program. Active, personal involvement in projects is equally important to Greg as providing monetary donations. He frequently encourages others to get involved in volunteer work. He is currently on the Saskatchewan Roughriders Board of Directors and is the Lead Governor at the Canadian Football League’s Board of Governors.

Greg’s work has benefitted those with disadvantages, providing opportunities to those who otherwise would struggle accessing certain amenities. He served as a board member of the Rick Hansen Foundation for 11 years. This work includes the Gordie Howe Sports Complex revitalization allowing the City of Saskatoon’s more vulnerable population to access fitness services. His donations to The Friendship Inn led to 10,000 meals being served to those in need. Greg is recognized for his ability to develop positive relationships, encourage participation in volunteer activities, and mentor those around him by volunteering as a mentor in the Raj Manek Mentorship program where he was previously a protégé. This program supports small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to help them reach their full personal and professional potential. In 2022, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan).

Olivia Yuel

Olivia Yuel is a longstanding volunteer in Saskatchewan who has dedicated many years supporting various initiatives in her community. A former University of Saskatchewan Huskies athlete in track and field, she has reached many people through her dedication to sports and fitness. During the revitalization of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, Olivia volunteered her time ensure the track was in walking distance for many on the city’s west side, reducing potential transportation barriers. Additionally, she was a volunteer coordinator for Start2Finish, a running program with children at King George School in Saskatoon. Through her mentorship over 26 weeks, she trained the children to run a marathon. She has helped many young people see they can do anything they set their minds to.

She and her husband, Greg, have donated millions of dollars to charities related to sports, health, First Nations art and education, and beyond. Olivia understands that to help communities thrive, you need to take an active role. Her passion, dedication and thoughtfulness have been recognized by everyone she meets. She joined the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign to support Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Wanuskewin Galleries in a time of major renewal. Their donations support the artistic endeavours of the organization and allowed dozens of artists to have their artwork displayed in these galleries. She was also the driving force behind the couple’s donation to the Remai Modern. She is a supporter of the YWCA, noting its importance in supporting local women and children. Olivia does not do this work for the recognition, but the betterment of Saskatchewan and its people, no matter their circumstances.