Three people with connections to Humber College have received one of this country’s highest honours after being among the 78 new appointments to the Order of Canada.

Governor General of Canada Mary Simon announced the appointments to the Order of Canada that included three Companions, 15 Officers, one Honorary Officer and 59 Members. The Order of Canada annually recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the country.

George Stroumboulopoulos, who graduated from Humber’s Broadcasting – Radio program in 1993, was named a Member “for his leading contributions to Canadian media and journalism as a renowned broadcaster and producer in television and radio.”

Stroumboulopoulos, who belongs to the Radio Humber Hall of Fame, is one of Canada’s most well-known broadcasters. He served as a producer and host on various MuchMusic programs and was the host of the long-running radio program The Strombo Show.  

He was also the host and executive producer of the television talk show George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, which first aired as The Hour, that covered many topics and issues and won multiple Gemini Awards. He has hosted other television shows and specials including the popular Hockey Night in Canada.

Stroumboulopoulos is also known for his advocacy work and involvement in charitable initiatives including serving as an ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme since 2009.

Also named as a Member was Lillie Johnson “for her long-time dedication to improving public health within the Black community, notably through the creation of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.”

Johnson, who taught a course in Child and Maternal Health at Humber, has had an impactful career filled with many awards and accolades including being invested in the Order of Ontario. In 2014, Johnson was presented with the Legacy award for her lifelong, extraordinary commitment to advancing the health and well-being of the Black community at the inaugural Black Health Alliance Awards.

She was the first Black Director of Public Health in Ontario where she oversaw the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark districts.

Appointed as an Officer was Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall “for his contributions to our understanding of Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed-Seeing, and for his dedication to promoting Mi'kmaq culture, language and environmental ethics.”

Marshall, Moose Clan from Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Land of the Fog, also known as Nova Scotia), met Humber Early Childhood Education Professor Louise Zimanyi in early 2020. The two are part of a Knowledge and Research Collective, supported by the Lawson Foundation’s Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 to co-create, deliver, and evaluate the Land-Based Play and Co-Learning through Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing course, which embraces the principles of Etuaptmumk, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaq language, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing.  

The course braids Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing together for the benefit of all, including our eco-kin. The course plants the seeds of sustainability by engaging in meaningful Land-based relationships and giving back in return for what we receive from the Earth.  

It’s uniquely co-taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty and supported by local and regional Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders.

Marshall and Zimanyi also co-authored the children’s picture book Walking Together, which introduces readers to Etuaptmumk, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language or Two-Eyed Seeing.

Marshall received an honorary degree from Humber during Spring 2023 Convocation. He also visited Humber in November to share his knowledge with students in the Early Childhood Education program.