Michael J. Fox, Robbie Robertson and Howie Meeker receive Order of Canada
OTTAWA — Michael J. Fox grew up recognizing things that were distinctly Canadian — Farley Mowat, hockey, The Guess Who and Robbie Robertson.
And sitting in Rideau Hall Friday, Fox found himself with people that were, as he put it, distinctly Canada.
Fox, Robertson and NHL hockey great Howie Meeker were among 42 recipients of the Order of Canada Friday, each recognized for a lifetime of contributions to sports, the arts and to their communities.
"Listen, you want a case of the imposter syndrome just sit in this room and in one of these chairs and listen to all these people's accomplishments and what they've done," Fox said following the ceremony. "I don't begin for a second to put myself in the league of any of these people, but when I listen to what they've done, that's Canadian to me. It's a seriousness and a sense of humour . . . It's enjoyment and a sense of life." (emphasis mine)
Well said Mr. Fox.
While best known as an actor, beginning with the television series Family Ties and the Back to the Future film trilogy that launched in 1985, Fox was recognized for his role as an advocate for Parkinson's disease research.
Fox was first diagnosed with the disease in the early 1990s and his foundation recently gained charitable status in Canada.
"Any recognition is humbling," Fox said. "I take it to be that I represent that part of Canada that means so much to me."
Robertson, a guitarist with The Band, is also considered to have influenced a generation of Canadian guitarists and First Nations youth.
"I wouldn't be so bold to say I'm any of those things," Robertson said with a laugh.
Robertson was one of several aboriginals honoured at the event. He said he was happy to see the country recognize the contributions of native peoples.
"I felt very proud of Canada today . . . that this is being acknowledged more so than I think anywhere else in the world," Robertson said. "Just the respect for the original people of Canada is much more so than you see in other places. So I know that we all feel like we have a lot more work to do and it's only going to get better."
He said that growing up on a First Nations reserve, he got into music because there was little else in the way of entertainment.
Robertson said he was also inspired by the storytelling abilities of the community's elders and wanted to be able to tell stories one day.
The Order of Canada has been given out annually since 1967 to Canadians who are recognized for a lifetime of achievements, dedication to their community or country.
I wonder when they're going to honor Don Cherry. Isn't he Mr. Canada?
jpress(at)postmedia.com
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Seriousness...sense of humor...enjoyment of life.
ReplyDeleteI think I want to be a Canadian!
Fox is one I did not know was Canadian. He's a solid actor and has met his disease head on with strength, dignity, and a sense of humor. Have you seen him on The Good Wife by chance? He plays a shrewd lawyer who on one show was not above using his Parkinson's to sway a jury.
Dan I love him on The Good Wife! He's always been one of my favorites and I had a serious crush on him when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteI've long been a fan of Robbie Robertson. His take on Broken Arrow makes me misty to this very day.
ReplyDelete