Five Saskatchewan residents named to Order of Canada

Five people from Saskatchewan have been appointed to the Order of Canada.

Author Yann Martel, who now lives in Saskatoon, was named a Companion of the Order of Canada.

According to a media release Wednesday, Martel — best known for his book “Life of Pi” — was honoured “for his contributions to literature and for his philanthropic commitment to the betterment of his region.”

Saskatoon’s Lillian Dyck was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Dyck, who served as a senator from 2005 to 2020, was appointed for “her contributions to human rights and social justice, and for her powerful advocacy of First Nations and racial minorities in Canada.”

Deborah Chatsis of Prince Albert was one of three Saskatchewan residents named a Member of the Order of Canada.

The product of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation was the first Indigenous woman to serve as an ambassador for Canada. She was an ambassador to Vietnam and Guatemala.

Regina’s Robin Poitras was appointed as a Member for her “contributions to contemporary dance in Canada, and for her leadership as artistic director of New Dance Horizons.”

The final Member named from Saskatchewan was Vaughn Wyant of Saskatoon, the president and CEO of The Wyant Group. He runs a network of 20 auto dealerships across Western Canada.

Wyant was appointed “for his contributions as a business leader in the auto industry in western Canada and for his community philanthropy.”

In all, 135 Canadians were appointed to the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. The list also included former senator Murray Sinclair, an Indigenous advocate who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools.

— With files from The Canadian Press