Saskatoon’s Bill Waiser will be one of 99 Canadians to receive the Order of Canada this year.
The historian and author, who taught at the University of Saskatchewan for over 30 years, said Friday he found out about the appointment over a month ago. He was working in his garden when he received a phone call from an official at the Governor General’s residence. He didn’t know he was nominated.
“When I did get the call I was in disbelief,” he said. “And I’ve learned to like the feeling.”
He promised to keep quiet about the appointment until Friday, when the Government of Canada officially announced the new member list, and said he’s truly gratified by the honour.
“I'm very appreciative and thankful,” Waiser said. “I regard it as confirmation [that] what I am doing is important, and I’ll keep doing it."
Waiser specializes in Western and Northern Canadian history and has published more than a dozen books. He’s also been honoured on the provincial and national scales on several other occasions.
In 2006, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. In 2007, he was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He was appointed to the A.S. Morton Research Chair in 2010, and was awarded an Earned Doctor of Letters from the University of Saskatchewan that same year.
His most recent book, A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan Before 1905, was awarded the 2016 Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction.
He’s one of two Saskatchewan residents to receive the award this year. Jacqueline Fanchette Clay Shumiatcher, a prominent member of Regina’s arts community, will also be appointed.
The Order of Canada was created 50 years ago. It’s considered one of Canada’s highest civilian honours.
More than 7,000 Canadians from all sectors of society have been appointed to the Order of Canada, according to the government’s website.
Appointment ceremonies will take place across Canada at a later date.
