It’s easy sometimes to forget the many ways that Manitobans have impacted not only our province but also our country and the world. It’s only when we make a conscious effort to honour those Manitobans who have achieved great things that we are truly aware how special our province and the people who call it home are.

That is one of the reasons that the Order of Manitoba award was created in 1999. As the highest provincial honour, it recognizes the achievement of Manitoba residents or former long time residents that have benefited the social, cultural or economic well being of Manitoba.

Presented annually by the lieutenant-governor of our province, the Order of Manitoba has become a symbol of outstanding achievement and those that received the honour this year at a ceremony at the Legislature earlier this month demonstrated that achievement and its diversity. Among the twelve recipients this year were those who have attained international recognition and those who have never sought recognition at all.

Perhaps the most recognizable name among this years recipients of the Order of Manitoba was also its youngest, Jonathan Toews, the multiple Stanley Cup winner, Olympian, and captain of the Chicago Blackhawks who has been quick to give back to the community and to youth sports. Also receiving the award this year was multi Juno Award winner Tom Cochrane who is well known for both his music and his humanitarian work.

The list of recipients also included those who have turned personal tragedy into inspiration. Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy became a member of the Order of Manitoba. While he is well known for his hockey career, his greatest impact has come off of the ice where he has taken the tragic experience of sexual abuse and become a champion for creating awareness and giving help and hope to other victims. As well, Wilma Derksen, whose daughter Candace was abducted and killed in 1984 has spent the years since as an advocate for victims of crime. She also was awarded the Order of Manitoba and stands as an example of bringing hope and inspiration through tragedy.

Other recipients from this year have been instrumental in assisting new Canadians, supporting veterans and their legacy, being leaders in our cultural community, our music industry and our economy. It was a group of winners who are as diverse and as varied as our province itself.

If you would like to learn more about the Order of Manitoba or this year’s recipients or perhaps know of someone who should be nominated for the award, visit the website of Manitoba’s lieutenant governor, Janice Filmon.