Senator Mitchell announces Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal Recipients

The Senate of Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its first sitting by awarding commemorative medals, struck by the Royal Canadian Mint last fall.

The Senate 150th Anniversary Medal commemorates the first time senators came to Ottawa to sit in Parliament, on November 6, 1867.

The medals are being awarded to Canadians or permanent residents who, through generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work, make their hometowns, communities, regions, provinces or territories a better place to live.

Last fall, Senator Mitchell awarded medals to deserving individuals and organizations. In recent weeks, he was delighted to present medals to four more recipients.

“On this important anniversary of the Senate of Canada, I am delighted to award a medal to these outstanding individuals and organizations whose work reflects Canadian values of diversity, acceptance, generosity, fairness and equality.”

Spring 2018 Medal Recipients

Mike Brisseau

Mike Brisseau has served in country as Lieutenant Commander (RCN) for 34 years. In this role, he has helped many Canadians by organizing evacuations across Canada (due to fires, floods, etc.) and helped organize troops for deployment to affected locations.

His tremendous commitment to serve Canadians is also demonstrated through his volunteerism with the Edmonton Food Bank. A regular volunteer who comes in 2-3 times a week, LCDR(N) Brisseau’s energy and dedication shines through all that he does to support the vital

mission of the food bank. From mentoring new volunteers at orientation workshops to onsite training and providing tours, his enthusiasm and tireless volunteer efforts are deeply appreciated by the Edmonton Food Bank.

Louise Hayes

Louise Hayes is being honoured for her distinguished record of volunteerism and dedication to helping others in Edmonton.

One organization in particular where she has made a profound difference is the Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area (BGCBigs). As a Board Member for 7 years, she was pivotal in the merger between the Edmonton Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2010. Her leadership and guidance helped to enable staff and volunteers to see the benefits

of collaboration between two like-minded organizations to better serve Edmonton’s children and families. As a result, the agency now serves over 5,300 children and youth with the support of over 3,000 volunteers.

Ms. Hayes currently serves on BGCBigs’s Indigenous Advisory Committee to help it better meet the needs of the over 830 Indigenous children that participate in its mentoring and after school programs every single day. Her priority is to ensure that these children have access to positive healthy relationships, and feel safe and respected at all times.

Cathy Orlando

Cathy Orlando is deserving of this recognition for her tremendous commitment to protecting the environment. As the International Outreach Manager and Canadian Director of Citizens Climate Lobby, a non-profit, non-partisan, advocacy organization, she has dedicated her life to empowering citizens to do what they can to protect the planet.

Ms. Orlando’s expertise and leadership have been instrumental in growing Citizens Climate Lobby chapters across Canada. From

volunteer management to communications to organization of national events, her passion and hopefulness are truly inspirational.

Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton Volunteers

The Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) is a multi-service senior centre which was established in 1970. At the heart of the vital programs and services that SAGE provides to Edmonton seniors are its volunteers. Their dedication and tireless efforts are instrumental in fulfilling SAGE’s important mission to inspire and support seniors to be the best they can be.

From food preparation, and fund development to being instructors of SAGE’s Life Enrichment Programs, volunteers are active in a multitude of ways at SAGE. They are deserving of this special recognition for the remarkable work they do every day to care for the health and well-being of seniors in Edmonton.

Fall 2017 Medal Recipients

Sherry Benson-Podolchuk Rtd. RCMP Sherry Benson-Podulchuk served as a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for 20 years. In her book Women Not Wanted, she courageously shared her experiences with workplace conflict, bullying and harassment. As an author and a motivational speaker, she encourages people to speak up against bullying in the workplace and provides strategies on how to deal with these problems. Her positive attitude and wisdom helps others foster a better work environment and gain a deeper understanding of mental health and stress. Ms. Benson-Podulchuk

is deserving of this honour for her remarkable courage and inspiring commitment to helping others and improving the organizational culture of the RCMP. Iqbal Bokhari

Iqbal Hussain Bokhari is being honoured for his long record of volunteerism and dedication to helping others in Edmonton. A retired social worker, Mr. Bokhari is originally from Pakistan and came to Edmonton in 1973. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations related to mental health, sports, and culture.

Currently he serves on the Board of the Multicultural Women and Seniors Services Association (MWSSA) in Edmonton. The MWSSA is a non-profit organization that helps immigrant and refugee seniors and

women integrate into Canadian society by providing education, counseling and a multitude of other support services. Mr. Bokhari's expertise is very useful for the work done by the MWSSA and he is always willing to help the outreach staff. His enthusiasm, support and tireless volunteer efforts are deeply appreciated by the MWSSA.

Boyle Street Community Services

Boyle Street Community Services is a remarkable organization that has been working in the inner city of Edmonton since 1971 to serve, support, and empower people to escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Its mission is to build and provide community support for people with multiple barriers to inclusion. Boyle Street provides 39 programs and services to over 9000 individuals every year. The programs focus on providing cultural, outreach, mental health, housing, family and youth, and employment services.

Thanks to its resilient, compassionate and family-oriented staff and volunteers, Boyle Street Community Services is a vital service to the people of Edmonton. There is no question that it is a source of hope and opportunity for a better future for many.

John Chu

John Chu has been a dedicated volunteer at the TELUS World of Science in Edmonton (TWOSE) for over 20 years. With his background in education and his positive and engaging personality, he has contributed over 3,500 hours of volunteer support to share his passion for science and life-long learning with others.

Mr. Chu has captivated visitors and colleagues in the many different roles he has taken on at TWOSE. He was instrumental in developing TWOSE's Amateur Radio Station exhibit, independently researching

information, creating new programs, and mentoring other volunteers. In the Discoveryland Gallery, he was noted for being especially effective at engaging entire families in the learning process.

Mr. Chu is deserving of this recognition for all he has done to enrich TWOSE and his inspiring commitment to public education and science.

Kaetlyn Corbould

Kaetlyn Corbould is being honoured for her exceptional commitment to the well-being of military families in Canada. As a military spouse for over 21 years with two children, she has experienced all the unique challenges military families face many times over.

She joined the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre Board of Directors in 2003 and soon after became the

Board Chair. Under her leadership, the centre has truly been able to flourish. Her key accomplishments include working to create a solid strategic direction for the centre; fund development; and fostering strong relationships with leaders in business and government. This has assisted the Edmonton Garrison MFRC in being recognized as subject matter experts in support to families where operational stress injuries are a significant risk, including police departments and other first responders. Her expertise is well-respected at the national level where she is active on two national committees.

Gender Mosaic

Gender Mosaic is Canada’s oldest transgender social and support group. For over 25 years, this dedicated group of volunteers has provided meaningful peer support for transgender people. Through a variety of social activities, Gender Mosaic creates an inclusive, safe and supportive environment for individuals. It also has a very effective outreach program with public education sessions for employers, educators and social service providers.

Gender Mosaic is deserving of this honour for its long record of providing vital support to transgender people. It brings people together to help them achieve personal growth. Its members show tremendous courage in the face of great adversity. Gender Mosaic provides compassion and guidance to transgender individuals and helps them be free to be who they truly are.

Green & Gold Community Garden

The Green & Gold Community Garden, located on the University of Alberta Farm, is a remarkable community garden with both local and global benefits. Volunteer-run, it offers fresh, organic produce to the Edmonton community in exchange for donations in support of the Tubahumurize Association. This not-for-profit organization supports socioeconomically marginalized women in Rwanda through programs in trauma counselling, life skills coaching, and income generation.

Founded in 2008, the Garden has raised over $250,000 in support of Tubahumurize, contributing to the organization's efforts to open a second classroom for its sewing program and, more recently, to start the first women's shelter in Rwanda. Locally, the Garden is a vibrant community space, bringing together a committed group of volunteers of all ages, serving as an outdoor classroom for several university faculties, and providing learning opportunities for visiting preschool and elementary students, women’s groups, and employees from other organizations.

Gordon Howell

Gordon Howell is being recognized for his outstanding dedication to shaping a greener future. As a pioneer and expert in solar energy generation, he installed the first grid-connected solar system in Western Canada on his home in Edmonton in 1995. He has been a committed advocate for solar power through his research, consulting, and public awareness activities.

Mr. Howell has given 482 talks, lectures, and presentations to the general public, schools, university classes, and specialized technical

groups. He has also mentored students of all ages and taught continuing education courses on solar energy. In 2010-2011, he was program manager for the City of Edmonton’s Renewable Energy Task Force, leading a 23-member team that developed a report on the opportunities for using renewable energy within the City. He has worked extensively with environmental organizations and industry associations to promote solar energy as part of a sustainable future.

Sheri Long

Sheri Long is Principal at Lauderdale School in Edmonton, where she provides exceptional leadership to a highly diverse student population. An outstanding educator, Ms. Long is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment with a focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students will need to be responsible and skilled participants in the community.

She has worked tirelessly to support her students' educational, social, and personal development through school-lunch programs,

anti-bullying campaigns, mindfulness sessions, and a variety of student leadership opportunities. Ms. Long is highly respected by her students, colleagues, and community and is very deserving of this honour.

Irene Morin

Irene Morin is an Elder of the Enoch Cree Nation. She is being recognized for her outstanding contribution to her community and province.

Throughout her life, she has provided great leadership to many important initiatives and enriched the lives of many. The list of her accomplishments includes her vital work with the Enoch Cree Nation; being the driving force behind the Annual Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Awards for over 20 years; and volunteering

with the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters and the World Indigenous games. Her eloquence, compassion and dedication to helping others shine through in all that she does.

N. Nicole Nussbaum

N. Nicole Nussbaum is being recognized for her tremendous efforts in support of transgender rights in Canada. As a lawyer, she has a particular focus on trans legal issues and extensive experience with advocacy, law, and policy work related to gender identity and gender expression

Ms. Nussbaum serves as the Past-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) and is a Past-President of the Canadian Professional

Association for Transgender Health (CPATH). She instructed the first course in Canada solely focused on Gender Identity and the Law at the University of Western Ontario, and acted as a legal consultant and webinar presenter for the LGBTQ Parenting Network's Trans Family Law initiative. For each endeavor, Ms. Nussbaum brings exceptional leadership, wise guidance and a deep commitment to advancing transgender rights.

Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan is being recognized for his outstanding commitment to damage prevention of underground infrastructure in Canada. First, as President of Alberta One-Call Corporation, Mr. Sullivan is leading Canada's oldest one-call centre through operational renewal; seizing new and emerging technology to increase and enhance access to the damage prevention process. He instituted Alberta's successful ClickBeforeYouDig campaign which has since been leveraged across Canada by the Canadian One-Call Centres Committee.

Second, as Executive Director of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA), he works tirelessly to raise awareness about damage prevention. His exceptional expertise and leadership were instrumental in advancing legislation to preserve the integrity of Canada’s buried infrastructure.

The Senate 150th Anniversary Medals feature the Senate’s badge on the front and the Senate Chamber on the reverse. (Photo Credit: Greg Kolz)