A prestigious award will be given to 12 Manitobans on Thursday afternoon.

In the spring, this year's Order of Manitoba recipients was announced, waiting to hold the ceremony at a later date. On Thursday, the 12 recipients will receive the Order from Manitoba's Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon.

"They are leaders, visionaries and mentors who epitomize the abundance of talent and spirit of giving that makes Manitoba so special," she says in a statement.

Recipients include Steve Bell, Elder Ruth Christie, and former Premier Greg Selinger.

“It is both gratifying and humbling to reflect on the exceptional accomplishments and commitment to the community of the 12 outstanding men and women being invested into the Order of Manitoba this year. Each of them has uniquely enriched the lives of people across the province and around the world."

On Thursday morning, Bell penned a speech about how he feels about being given the Order of Manitoba. While he will not be making the speech at the ceremony, he is sharing it with his supporters. 

"I’m sure I could fill many pages with names and stories of individuals and organizations who have generously come alongside me over the years with every kind of support you can imagine: spiritual, emotional, material, financial, etc. And though I have certainly felt disheartened, weary, and even lost at various points along the way, I’ve never once felt alone," Bell writes.

He says "it takes a village," acknowledging the help of others in his life to get him where he is today.

The ceremony will be live-streamed at 4 p.m. from the Manitoba Legislative Building.

 

Bell's full speech

"The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to “recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of Manitoba and its residents.”

If it is true that my work over the years has indeed benefited the well-being of others “in an outstanding manner,” no one is more pleased than I, and I will happily accept the commendation with a commitment to continue my work, as best as I am able, by that standard and measure.

IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE…

I’m sure I could fill many pages with names and stories of individuals and organizations who have generously come alongside me over the years with every kind of support you can imagine: spiritual, emotional, material, financial, etc. And though I have certainly felt disheartened, weary, and even lost at various points along the way, I’ve never once felt alone. And that, almost more than anything, is what can sustain a person in a vocation like mine for the long haul.

My heart is filled with overflowing gladness and gratitude for you all. But it is important that I specifically acknowledge my wife, Nanci Bell, and my manager, Dave Zeglinski, for the decades of love and commitment I’ve depended on to do this work. I’ve also been blessed with wonderfully talented and dedicated office staff, inspiring musicians and artists to create projects with, enthusiastic co-laborers in the various causes I’ve felt led to join, and I have benefited greatly from the wise counsel of my ever-watchful advisory board.

Lastly, to our Creator, the author of my faith, who is implicit in every song I’ve ever written, I offer my praise and my fealty.

“I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

Psalm 104:33"
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