Rossbrook House workers receive Order of Canada
Two women who spent four decades helping youth in Winnipeg have received Canada’s highest civilian honour.
Sisters Margaret Hughes and Bernadette O’Reilly, both members of the Sisters of Sion, were made Members of the Order of Canada during a special ceremony in Saskatoon Tuesday evening. The event was attended by Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Russell Mirasty.
The pair were recognized for their 40 years of service with Rossbrook House in Winnipeg.
“I receive it humbly, celebrating the number of courageous children who gave school another chance at Wi Wabigooni Alternative Program, which translates as 'The Flower' and just beginning to open,” Hughes said during the ceremony, which was streamed on YouTube.
“It was my privilege and joy to walk with them, to share their joy in learning, their laughter, their humour and their love of life.”
“To be receiving this award is an amazing experience, and one that Margaret and I never imagined,” O’Reilly said. “It’s so clear to us that the youth and the young adults at Rossbrook House share deeply in this recognition.
“The success of Rossbrook House belongs to the youth and the staff who created and continue to create a place of community, of safety, of learning, of growth, and of very deep friendships.”
O’Reilly and Hughes arrived at Rossbrook House in 1979, to create a community in Winnipeg’s inner city. Rossbrook House was created by Sister Geraldine MacNamara as a drop-in centre for youth in Winnipeg. It includes education programs, Indigenous teachings, a young mother’s group, and other programs. The pair moved to Saskatchewan in 2019.
“The motto was ‘No child who doesn't want to be alone ever should have to be,’” said Paul Bavington, the brother of Bernadette O’Reilly, during a phone interview.
During their time at Rossbrook, Hughes helped start the elementary alternative education program while O’Reilly started a program for high schoolers.
“They were instrumental in keeping Rossbrook House going and expanding and establishing their school offerings,” Bavington said, adding that children who have graduated through the programs are now helping run the house.
Bavington said he is proud of his sister and Hughes for their work and the honour.
“I remember I was at a celebration when my sister celebrated the 25th anniversary of entering the order. One of the celebrants there said, ‘If it weren't for Bernie and Margaret, I would not be alive today,’” he said. “So that's the kind of impact that they had in the community.”
The pair, who were appointed to the Order in June 2022, received their awards in Saskatoon rather than Ottawa as they were unable to travel.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.