Inspiring musician, university president, pediatric researcher among Order of Manitoba inductees

A dozen of Manitoba's most renowned citizens will receive the province's highest honour on Thursday,the Order of Manitoba.

The honourees, includingyouth advocateRobbNash, University of Manitoba presidentDavid Barnard and renowned pediatric researcherDr. CherylRockman-Greenberg,are credited with enriching the social,cultural or economic well-being of the province.

Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon, chancellor of theorder, will preside over the 4 p.m. ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Here is a list of the dozen people to be celebrated at the 2018 ceremony:

David BarnardAs president and vice-chancellor of the University ofManitobasince 2008, Barnard has championed Indigenous achievement andenhanced research facilities and graduate student support.During his tenure, the universitywas selected as the site for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and he has held prestigious research chairs, including with Canada Excellence.

MichaelBelhumeur AMtiselder and amilitary veteran,Belhumeurco-founded the Urban Knights and Ladies Volunteer Veterans Ambassadors Peace Patrol ofManitoba, a first-of-its-kind, volunteer-basedsafety promotion and crime prevention organization.Serving the Winnipeg community for 40 years, its focus has been on locating and finding support for homeless veterans.

JacquelineBlay The award-winningfrancophonehistorian's writings reflect the efforts offrancophonesinManitobato preserve their language and culture.She has served as president of the St. Boniface Historical Society, Gabrielle-Roy House and theSocitfranco-manitobaine.She continues to work on her series of five books dedicated to promoting the history offrancophoneandMtiscommunities inManitoba.

Barbara Bruce A citizen of theMtisnation, Bruce has spent her life working with and for theMtisnation and First Nations' communities and organizations.She was directly involved in the planning of four Truth and Reconciliation Commission national events.She has served on the boards of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Top 40 Under 40, among others.

Dr. Sara J.IsraelsThe pediatric hematologist/oncologistis world-renowned for her innovative work in the care of children and teenagers with cancer and bleeding disorders.She led the expansion of inter-professional care, the development of an aftercare program for survivors of childhood cancer, and the creationof dedicated space for children and their families atCancerCareManitoba.

RobertKristjanson The lifelong resident ofGimliand commercial fisherman for 70 yearsincreased public awareness of the growing algae problem on Lake Winnipeg.He also led the implementation of the Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, served in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary for 35 years, and hasa distinguished record of service to a variety of community organizations.

WilliamLoewenLoewen'sdistinguished business career includes innovation and commercial success in computer services and electronic commerce.He has championed other community organizations such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra,ManitobaChoral Association, Heritage Saint Norbert, West End Cultural Centre, Urban Circle Training Centre and Heritage Winnipeg.

BerniceMarmelMarmelhas been a longtime champion and advocate for seniors, affordable housing and low-incomeManitobans.She helped establish a visiting program and phone service for Deer Lodge hospital residents, matching volunteers with seniors to reduce social isolation.In 2016, she received the Murray and Muriel Smith Award, the highest honour given by theManitobaCouncil on Aging.

RobbNash Nash uses music to influence young people, performing at schools, reservations and detention centres across Canada.After surviving a near-fatal accident, he began speaking to youth, playing his songs that are intended to inspire discussion about important issues, such as bullying, addiction, self-harm and suicide.Over the past five years, more than 800 students have relinquished their planned suicide notes to him and hundreds more have stopped self-harmingbehaviours.

KenOpalekeFor more than 27 yearsOpaleke has been dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth as the executive director of West Broadway Youth Outreach, a non-profit organization that helps youth realize their full potential. He lists among his greatest accomplishments the fact that hehas been never taken a sick day in 30 years, and helpedtwo of his former program "students"achieve their dream of graduating from medical school, with another three not far behind.

Dr. Grant N. Pierce His research in cardiovascular medicine has brought scientific acclaim toManitoba through his participation in a series of pioneering studies to stop or reverse heart muscle disease or blood vessel wall injury.He helped develop the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and helped found the Canadian Centre forAgri-FoodResearch in Health and Medicine, both at St. Boniface Hospital.

Dr. CherylRockman-GreenbergThe physician and researcher is renowned for her leadership in pediatric health and her expertise in the field of rare metabolic disorders and genetic diseases.Her research benefited the health ofManitobansat risk for certain illnesses, resulting in the development of targeted newborn screening programs and new treatments.This led to life-changing interventions for manyManitobans,including those in the province'sHutterite, Mennonite and Indigenous communities.