Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 21, 2013
• Invested on: September 12, 2014

For his work as a champion of reconciliation and social justice, promoting deeper understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
James Weisgerber is a champion of social change and justice. Since being ordained as a priest 50 years ago, he has served numerous prairie communities and parishes, most recently as the archbishop of Winnipeg. He is best known for his instrumental role in helping reconcile residential school survivors with the church, notably for arranging a historic meeting between them and Pope Benedict XVI, in 2009. His ongoing efforts to build a brighter future for Aboriginal communities led to his symbolic adoption as a brother by Anishinabe Elders.