2012 Order of Nova Scotia Recipients Announced

NOTE: Photos and biographies of the 2012 Order of Nova Scotia recipients are available at http://novascotia.ca/iga/2012recipients.asp .

Five outstanding Nova Scotians dedicated to preserving and strengthening communities across the province will be invested into the Order of Nova Scotia this fall.

Lieutenant-Governor J.J. Grant, Chancellor of the Order of Nova Scotia, made the announcement today, Oct. 12.

"These Nova Scotians are shining examples of the enduring change and influence a person can have on our province," said Lt.-Gov. Grant. "They shared a common dedication to making life better for their communities, touching the lives of all those around them."

The 2012 Order of Nova Scotia recipients are:

• Silver Donald Cameron, Halifax: Silver Donald Cameron is a person of many talents, with accomplishments in broadcasting, education, publishing and environmentalism. He helped found Telile, Isle Madame's not-for-profit community television station and served as the first writer in residence at both NSCAD and the then College of Cape Breton. He is the author of novels, short stories, and plays and has won numerous awards. His recent work has highlighted the importance of protecting and preserving the environmental integrity of Nova Scotia's coastal areas.

• Graham Dennis, Halifax (posthumous): Graham Dennis started selling newspapers at the age of five, working his way up to become Canada's longest-serving newspaper publisher in the family business, The Halifax Herald Limited. He was a philanthropist who cared deeply about humanity and offered his full support, often anonymously, to organizations or events that strengthened the province. He leaves behind a legacy of responsible journalism and a life devoted to only one goal, to make Nova Scotia a better place for Nova Scotians.

• Alexa Ann McDonough, Halifax: Alexa McDonough's commitment to social activism and community involvement has spanned most of her life. At the age of 14, she helped organize a day camp for the children of Africville, bringing public attention to their living conditions. In the mid-1970s, as Social Action Chair at the YWCA, she was committed to retraining women in non-traditional areas and providing them with the widest possible range of employment opportunities. She was elected leader of the New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia in 1980, becoming the first woman to lead a major recognized party in Canada. In 1995, she became Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. She has received national and international recognition for her work on human rights and global poverty.

• Robert James Morgan, Sydney (posthumous): Robert Morgan devoted over 50 years to preserving and sharing the history of Nova Scotia, particularly Cape Breton Island. He served as senior historian in the development of the Fortress of Louisbourg and as a founder of the Old Sydney Society and as archivist of the Beaton Institute. As a history professor at Cape Breton University, he helped to develop the Cape Breton Studies, Cultural Studies, and Museum Studies programs. His legacy also includes the two-volume Rise Again! The Story of Cape Breton Island, the first full-scale history of Cape Breton in nearly 150 years.

• Bridglal Pachai, Halifax: Bridglal Pachai has distinguished himself as an author, professor, administrator, mentor and human rights advocate. Born and raised during apartheid South Africa, he became the first black in South Africa to earn a doctorate in history. He served as a director of the International Education Centre at Saint Mary's University. He headed the Black Cultural Centre and served as the executive director of the Human Rights Commission. He has published several works on African Nova Scotian history, two autobiographical works, a novel based on his African experiences and the philosophical writings exploring education.

The recipients were selected by the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council from 84 nominations.

The 2012 recipients will be recognized at the 11th investiture ceremony on Nov. 28 at Government House.

The Order of Nova Scotia was established in June 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the province. Recipients have the right to use the initials O.N.S. after their names.