3 prominent Northerners among Order of Canada recipients
Abraham Anghik Ruben, Geraldine Van Bibber and Marie Wilson are among 113 new appointments
The Governor General has announced 113 new appointments to the Order of Canada, and several well-known Northerners are among them.
Inuvialuit carver Abraham Anghik Ruben is being appointed as an officer of the order "for his artistic contributions as a sculptor and for his preservation of our northern heritage and national identity," according to a news release.
Ruben, who grew up in Paulatuk, N.W.T., has worked as an artist since the 1970s. He works in bone, stone, ivory and bronze. His art was showcased at the Smithsonian's American Indian Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years ago.
He has said his work reflects his roots in the North and Inuit core belief systems.
Former Yukon commissioner
Geraldine Van Bibber, a former Yukon commissioner, is another one of the appointees to the Order of Canada.
She's being honoured for her role in the development of the territory's tourism industry.
Van Bibber is a well-known elder. She's served as senior community advisor to the Yukon Party, as well as chancellor of Yukon College.
Born and raised in Dawson City, Van Bibber is of Tetlit Gwich'in and Irish descent.
Truth and Reconciliation commissioner
Marie Wilson is also being recognized for her contributions to the development of the Northwest Territories. Wilson was a commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She was also a journalist for 25 years, working as a reporter, host and eventually the director of CBC North.
In her work with the TRC, Wilson spent six years listening to heartbreaking testimony from more than 6,000 former residential school students, many of whom were abused. The commission released its final report last year.
Wilson lives in Yellowknife with her husband Stephen Kakfwi, a former premier of the Northwest Territories. She was also appointed to the Order of the Northwest Territories in a ceremony on Wednesday.
The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours. Recipients will be honoured at a ceremony at a later date.