McKennitt honoured with Order of Manitoba

McKennitt honoured with Order of Manitoba

http://www.mordentimes.com/story.php?id=67799

July 14, 2003
By Lorne Stelmach

Morden Times — Loreena McKennitt returns to her home province this week to have another honour bestowed upon her. The musical pride and joy of Morden will be invested into the Order of Manitoba at a ceremony July 15 at the Manitoba Legislative building.
And with McKennitt so close to home, Morden officials seized the opportunity to bring her here briefly for one more special occasion. She will make a quick trip to Morden Tuesday morning for the official hanging and unveiling of a photographic portrait of her in performance.
The portrait will be kept on display in the Morden Civic Centre after the 11 a.m. ceremony.

Meanwhile, McKennitt will now be able to put the initials O.M. after her name in honour of being named to the Order of Manitoba.

She was one of 12 Manitobans past and present invested into the order by Lt. Gov. Peter Liba this spring. “Each year, I recognize outstanding citizens who have made a difference to our province and its people through their accomplishments and contributions,” said Liba, who is chancellor of the order.
The Order of Manitoba was established to recognize Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievements which have lead to improving our social, cultural or economic well being.
McKennitt was recognized for winning critical acclaim and selling about 13 million records worldwide on her self-managed record label Quinlan Road.
Among other highlights noted were her support for the Morden United Church building fund by hosting a concert and her appearance at the opening of the 1996 Manitoba Summer Games in Morden.
More recently, she was the headline performer for Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh at the Manitoba Legislature in October, 2002.
She has also been an active member of her community in Stratford, Ontario and oversees several charitable undertakings in the fields of water safety as well as family and childhood support services.
Since 1998, she has devoted much time and energy to the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety. In 2000, she also purchased a former school in a heritage building in Stratford, and she has overseen its development into the Falstaff Family Centre.
Announced in May, her induction into the Order of Manitoba came within a month of Morden paying tribute to McKennitt at a gala in her honour here April 26.
Up to 400 people were on hand for the gala, at which McKennitt performed five songs for her home town.