MNO Senator Dr. Alis Kennedy (front row far right) with Lt. Governor David Onley and the other 2011 recipients of the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
On Wednesday, December 14, at the Ontario Legislature, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Senator Dr. Alis Kennedy was presented with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship (OMC) from Lieutenant Governor David Onley. The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recognizes people who have made exceptional long-term contributions to the quality of life in Ontario and was awarded to eleven outstanding Ontarians in 2011.
“These individuals are shining examples of citizenship in action. Throughout their lives they have consistently made outstanding contributions to their community and to this province. I am pleased to invest them with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship for their laudable service,” said Lieutenant Governor Onley.
One of Senator Kennedy’s many achievements was her participation, as a commercially licensed pilot, in a video entitled: “Women in Science.” Produced by York University, the video encouraged young women to pursue careers in science and was viewed by all Ontario high school students in the mid 1980s.
Senator Kennedy was recognized for over 35 years of volunteering in three continents and four countries. Her contributions to MNO and others organisations were also highlighted. Her time as volunteer included months working on some projects on a full-time basis, as was the case when she was in Peru and South Africa. One of the projects where she volunteered on a full-time basis was with an organization in Africa that educated South Africans and tourists about the plight of cheetahs. This project also involved working with the endangered big cats.
Senator Kennedy was selected to represent all the OMC recipients in a response to the OMC Chair’s toast. Prior to this, she was one of the two recipients interviewed by CityTV. Throughout these ceremonies and events, she made everyone aware of her Métis identity. “I proudly wore my Métis flag/sash, which I beaded myself” said Senator Kennedy. She indicated she wore this item to honour a past OMC recipient the late MNO Senator Helen Bradley, “I adapted the sash design from a pattern created by Senator Bradley,” explained Senator Kennedy, “Dr. Olive Dickason, who served on the first Board the MNO Cultural Commission was also a past OMC recipient.”
Click here to view more information about the 2011 OMC recipients.