Edmonton’s Dr. Lorne Tyrell promoted to companion in Order of Canada

An undated photo of Lorne J. Tyrrell. (Source: The Alberta Order of Excellence)

Bert Crowfoot and Chris Dodd are among the four Edmontonians newly appointed to the Order of Canada.

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Crowfoot, a journalist and photographer from the Siksika First Nation, was also recognized for founding the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta. He was designated an officer, according to a Wednesday announcement.

As the capital city’s theatre community will know, Dodd is a deaf performing artist and playwright. Also an accessibility advocate, he founded a national theatre festival for deaf performing arts, called Sound Off. He was made a member of the Order of Canada.

Phyllis Arnold, an educator, writer and philanthropist, and Eddy Isaacs, a leader in energy and environmental research, were also named members.

Additionally, University of Alberta professor and scientist Lorne Tyrrell, who was first appointed to the order in 2022, was promoted to companion, the third and highest appointment. Tyrrell is the director of the U of A’s Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology. His work was called “pivotal” to Canada’s pandemic response. Only five other people were appointed companions, while a total of 15 officers and 59 members were named on Wednesday.

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest honours. It recognizes people who have made “extraordinary and sustained contributions” to Canada.

The order was created in 1967. Since then, 8,250 people have been appointed.