Two people from southeast Saskatchewan will be presented with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit – the province’s highest honour.
The provincial government announced on Tuesday that this year’s recipients will include Jo-Anne Bannatyne-Cugnet, who is a retired nurse, author and business owner who was born and raised in Estevan but now resides in Weyburn; and Valerie Creighton of Stoughton, who is the president and CEO of the Canada Media Fund.
"It's a great privilege for me to present the Saskatchewan Order of Merit to 10 such accomplished individuals," said Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield. "They have each made enormous contributions to our province, and are most deserving of this prestigious honour."
Jo-Anne Bannatyne‐Cugnet is actively involved in numerous businesses with her four sons. She is perhaps most widely known for her best‐selling children’s book A Prairie Alphabet, which won a Mr. Christie’s Book Award in 1992 for best illustrations, and was also chosen to be included in the Saskatchewan Legislative Building’s centennial time capsule, which will remain sealed until 2112.
Not only is she an accomplished author of six books, but she is also a mentor, organizer, fundraiser and philanthropist. She was instrumental in fundraising $3.5 million towards a community, cultural and convention centre for Weyburn, and made a large personal donation to the venue.
Many people in the southeast, and the province as a whole, have all benefited from her and her late husband Ken’s generosity and support.
Valerie Creighton has spent 30 years fostering the growth of, and recognition for, the artistic, cultural and creative industries in Saskatchewan and Canada. Her contributions have improved the lives of artists and producers, brought pride to Saskatchewan residents, and helped propel the province to be recognized as a leader in creative excellence.
Creighton was responsible for securing the first federal‐provincial agreement in the cultural industries for Saskatchewan.
She also played a key role in the development and implementation of the Provincial Arts Strategy Task Force; the Arts Stabilization program; the creation of the Saskatchewan Film and Development Corporation (SaskFilm), for which she received the Saskatchewan Deputy Minister of Culture’s Recognition Award; and Creative Saskatchewan, where she sits as a board member.
Creighton contributed to the development and tabling of legislation for the
Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts and served as its volunteer chair. She assisted in restructuring the 25th Street Theatre and the Saskatchewan Drama Association, and is a strong supporter of the Yorkton Film Festival.
She is currently president and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, which she successfully launched as a result of the policy direction of the Minister of Canadian Heritage following a national consultation. She received the Canadian Women in Communications Change Leadership Award in 2010 in recognition of this work.
Creighton continues to reside in Saskatchewan where she owns and operates the Red Horse Ranch near Stoughton.
A total of 10 people will be receiving the Order of Merit this year. The presentation will happen on May 24.
