Top left to right: Robert Daniel Steadward, Lori Jeanne West, Arthur Frank-Art Bergmann, John W. Brink. Bottom left to right: Father James Lassiter Holland, Larry J. Macdonald, Douglas R. Stollery, Frances Elizabeth Wright. (Supplied by Order of Canada)

By David Opinko

Eight Albertans inducted into Order of Canada

Dec 30, 2020 | 11:09 AM

CALGARY, AB – 61 Canadians will receive the highest honour the Government of Canada can bestow upon its citizens.

Governor General Julie Payette announced the new appointments Wednesday, which includes 47 members, 13 officers, and one companion.

The full list of recipients can be found here.

Among those are eight Albertans who have made significant contributions to athletics, medicine, music, human rights, culture, and business.

The Albertans listed are as follows:

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Robert Daniel Steadward – Companion

Hailing from Edmonton, Steadward was promoted within the Order of Canada “for his lifelong dedication to propelling the Paralympic movement forward on a global scale.”

In 1971, he began a five-year term as President of the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association and helped to create the U of A-based Research and Training Centre for Athletes with a Disability.

Steadward was a founding president of the International Paralympic Committee in 2000 and spent 12 years at the helm of the organization.

Lori Jeanne West – Officer

Hailing from Edmonton, West was recognized “for her leadership in the field of organ transplantation and donation, notably for her breakthrough research in infant heart transplantation.”

She is a professor of Medicine & Dentistry-Pediatrics at the University of Alberta, researching projects related to solid organ transplantation such as molecular-level gene therapy and cell biology investigations.

West has collaborated with the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, the Alberta Transplant Institute, the Alberta Diabetes Institute, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute/Cardiovascular Translational Research Group, the National Institute for Nanotechnology, and the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology.

Arthur Frank-Art Bergmann – Member

Hailing from Rocky View County, Bergmann was recognized “for his indelible contributions to the Canadian punk music scene, and for his thought-provoking discourse on social, gender and racial inequalities.”

He was a key figure in the Canadian punk rock scene in the late 1970’s, playing with bands such as Young Canadians, Los Popularos, and Poisoned before going solo as Art Bergmann.

He has released 10 albums to date.

John W. Brink – Member

Hailing from Edmonton, Brink was recognized “for promoting and preserving Blackfoot culture through his roles as archaeologist, curator, and author.”

He is the Curator of Archaeology at the Royal Alberta Museum and helped to found Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump and Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park in Southern Alberta.

Brink has worked extensively with the Blackfoot Nation and other Indigenous groups to promote their culture and history.

Father James Lassiter Holland – Member

Hailing from Edmonton, Holland was recognized “for his dedication to Indigenous communities in Edmonton and for his commitment to reconciliation and inclusion.”

He has been a pastor at Edmonton’s Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples since 1995, promoting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples one of his top priorities.

In addition to his roles in the church, Father James also volunteers with organizations such as the Boyle McCauley Health Centre, McCauley Community League, George Spady Society, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Boyle McCauley News and the Canadian Club of Edmonton.

Larry J. Macdonald – Member

Hailing from Okotoks, Macdonald was recognized “for his business and community leadership, and for his long-time commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy.”

He has worked in the oil and gas industry throughout Western Canada for over 50 years and has held high-ranking positions at Vermillion Energy, Point Energy, Northpoint Resources, Sure Energy, PointWest Energy, Anderson Exploration, and PanCanadian Petroleum Limited.

Douglas R. Stollery – Member

Hailing from Edmonton, Stollery was recognized “for his wide-ranging contributions to Canada’s legal landscape, for his defense of human rights, and for his broad community involvement.”

In addition to his work in the courtroom, Stollery has been part of organizations such as the Stollery Charitable Foundation, CARE Canada, Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grant MacEwan University, Victoria School Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton 2001 World Championships in Athletics, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Grant MacEwan College Foundation.

Frances Elizabeth Wright – Member

Hailing from Calgary, Wright has recognized “for her lifelong promotion of equal rights and for her advocacy of vulnerable and under-served groups.”

In addition to having a wildly-varying career including being a journalist, stockbroker, communications consultant, and an entrepreneur, she helped to establish the Famous 5 Foundation – an organization that recognizes five people from Alberta who worked to ensure women were enfranchised and legally recognized as persons.

Wright lead a successful movement to feature the Famous 5 on the $50 Canadian bill between 2004 and 2012.