Visit to Saskatchewan - Canadian Honours Ceremony - October 20, 2018

On Saturday, October 20, 2018, the Governor General presented honours to 34 remarkable Canadians in celebration of their incredible achievements and contributions.

The Governor General offered opening remarks and congratulated the recipients on their excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service.

The Meritorious Service Cross was presented to Sandra O’Reilly who founded the Calgary Children’s Cottage Society in 1986 to provide a safe place for parents to leave their children during times of crisis. For over three decades, she provided critical information to educators and policy makers in support of changes to social services in her community. 

The Meritorious Service Medal was presented to Derek Crowe, Justin Ferbey and Jane Koepke, who started Singletrack to Success, a network of mountain biking trails on Montana Mountain near Carcross, Yukon. The project’s 65 kilometres of trails have attracted thousands of tourists to the area. In addition, youth from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation have been engaged in building and maintaining the trail system, gaining valuable life skills and a sense of pride through their work.

The Meritorious Service Medal was presented to Kirby and Marie Fontaine.  After winning the lottery, Kirby and Marie Fontaine chose to enrich the lives of others in their home province. Through their generous donations, they have fed the hungry, put gifts under the Christmas trees of less fortunate children, and supported programs for at-risk youth. Gracious and humble, they further financed revitalization projects that have provided meaningful employment and a reinvigorated a sense of pride in their community.

Kal Hourd performed during the intermission.  A CD of Mr. Hourd’s music accompanied the Governor General in space on board STS- 127 where it orbited earth 248 times.

Dr. Angela Irvine and Cole Marshall received Medals of Bravery.  They rescued Dr. Irvine’s young sons who were in danger of drowning in the South Saskatchewan River, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. As the boys were carried off by the water, Dr. Irvine dove in and fought against the current until she was able to reach one of the boys, pulling him to shore. After her unsuccessful attempt to rescue the second child, Mr. Marshall used a tree branch to pull the young victim to safety.

Jerry Kobalenko received a Polar Medal.  He has skied, hiked, sledded and kayaked more than 16,000 kilometres through the High Arctic over the course of 30 separate expeditions. A professional writer, photographer and ardent Arctic adventurer, he has brought his love, passion and knowledge of Canada’s North to a broad national and international audience through his many publications and lectures.

Constable Garrett Dove received a Sovereign’s medal for volunteers.  He has gone above and beyond in mentoring and guiding First Nations youth in the communities of Pelican Narrows and Battleford, particularly by offering valuable options for Indigenous programming during and after school.

Chief Coreen Sayazie was presented with a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.  She has been with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for over two decades, serving as the main volunteer tax preparer for Saskatchewan’s northernmost communities. She was elected chief of her band in 2016, but continued to fulfill her volunteer commitment regardless of her busy schedule.

The Governor General presents honours on behalf of all Canadians in communities across the country to help share inspiring stories, celebrate tremendous contributions to our society and connect with Canadians. From community volunteers to scientists, from actors to members of the military, from scholars to everyday citizens, Canadians earn our applause and gratitude.