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Saskatchewan Order of Merit

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This article is about the Saskatchewan order. For similarly named orders, see Order of Merit (disambiguation).

Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Awarded by the lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan
TypeOrder of merit (provincial)
Established1985
MottoMultis e gentibus vires (Latin for 'From many peoples, strength')
EligibilityAny current or former long-term Canadian citizen resident of Saskatchewan.
Awarded forExcellence, achievement, and contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province and its residents.
StatusCurrently constituted
FounderFrederick Johnson representing Elizabeth II
ChancellorRussell Mirasty
GradesMember
Post-nominalsSOM
Precedence
Next (higher)National Order of Quebec
Next (lower)Order of Ontario

1985–2005

2005–present
Ribbon bars of the order

The Saskatchewan Order of Merit (French: Ordre du Mérite de la Saskatchewan) is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Instituted in 1985 by Lieutenant Governor Frederick Johnson,[1] on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Grant Devine, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour current or former Saskatchewan residents for conspicuous achievements in any field,[2] being thus described in law as the highest honour amongst all others conferred by the Saskatchewan Crown.[3]

Structure and appointment

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The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is intended to honour any Canadian citizen currently or formerly resident in Saskatchewan who has demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field, improving the "social, cultural and economic well-being of the province and its residents"; the process of finding such individuals begins with call for nominations put out each spring by the Saskatchewan Honours Advisory Council.[1] There are no limitations on population, but only ten new members may be created each year.[1]

After the annual call for nominations,[1] the Saskatchewan Honours Advisory Council makes its recommendations to the lieutenant governor. Posthumous nominations are accepted within one year of the date of death, and in 2001 the Provincial Emblems and Honours Act was amended to allow for honorary membership in the order,[4] granted to those who are neither current nor former residents of Saskatchewan; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, was the first honorary member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, appointed on 24 April 2001.[5] The lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, who is ex officio a member and the chancellor of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and remains a member following his or her departure from viceregal office,[6] then makes all appointments into the fellowship's single grade of membership by letters patent bearing the viceroyal sign-manual and the Great Seal of the province;[7] thereafter, the new members are entitled to use the post-nominal letters SOM and have their portrait added to the Athabasca Gallery at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.[4]

Insignia

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Upon admission into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, members are presented with the order's insignia at a ceremony held either at Government House in Regina or at a venue in Saskatoon.[4] According to The Provincial Emblems and Honours Act, which stipulates the design of the order's badges and ribbon and how they are worn, the main emblem of the order is a silver medallion in the form of a six pointed star—an abstract rendition of a western red lilly, the province's official flower. The obverse is coated in white enamel and bears the escutcheon of Coat of arms of Saskatchewan within a circular ribbon that displays the provincial motto—multis e gentibus vires (Latin for 'from many peoples strength')[8]—all topped by St. Edward's Crown symbolizing the Canadian monarch's role as the fount of honour.[9] This medallion is hung from a ribbon with a green-gold-green, vertical striped pattern, at the collar for men, and on a bow pinned at the left chest for women. Members also receive for wear on informal clothing a lapel pin in the form of a stylized western red lily bearing St. Edward's Crown.[10]

Inductees

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The following are some notable appointees of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit:[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Marsh, James H. (ed.). "Culture > Awards > Saskatchewan Order of Merit". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Toronto: Historica Foundation of Canada. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  2. ^ Elizabeth II (29 June 1988). "The Provincial Emblems and Honours Act" (PDF). III.15. Regina: Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  3. ^ Elizabeth II 1988, 17
  4. ^ a b c Office of the Provincial Secretary. "About OPS > Protocol Office > Saskatchewan Honours and Awards Program > Saskatchewan Order of Merit". Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Prince of Wales Honoured" (Press release). Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan. 24 April 2001. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  6. ^ Elizabeth II 1988, 15
  7. ^ Elizabeth II 1988, 18
  8. ^ Office of the Provincial Secretary. "About OPS > Protocol Office > Emblems of Saskatchewan > Coat of Arms". Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  9. ^ Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "Honours and Recognition Programs > Canadian National Honours". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. ^ Elizabeth II 1988, 19
  11. ^ Office of the Provincial Secretary. "Saskatchewan Order of Merit Recipients" (PDF). Regina: Queen's Printer for Saskatchewan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
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