Order of Manitoba honours 12, including Tom Cochrane, Jonathan Toews

Twelve Manitobansathletes, activists and authorsamong themwill receive Manitoba'shighest honouron Thursday.

The special ceremony, to induct the honoured dozen into the Order of Manitoba,will be held at 4 p.m. at the legislative building.

The order recognizes those who have benefited the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province.

This year's ceremonybrings to 210 the total number of members named to the Order of Manitoba since its inception in 1999.

Therecipients are, in alphabetical order:

• RachelAlao, who has helped newcomers to Canada asfounding executive director and program director of Winnipeg's Helping Hands Resource Centre for Immigrants Inc.
• Chad Allan, a rock musician who played a pivotal role in creatingtwo legendary Winnipeg rock bands,The Guess Who andBachman-TurnerOverdrive.
• KarenBeaudin, a community resourceco-ordinatorwho has increasedsupport, understanding and respect for indigenous people in the workforce.
• TomCochrane, a multipleJuno Award-winning musician and humanitarian.
• DianCohen, aneconomist, broadcaster and author.
• Wilma L.Derksen,anartist andauthorwho has supported and advocated for victims of serious crime sinceher daughter,Candace, was murdered in 1984.
• Dan Johnson, the founding executive director of the Manitoba Special Olympics.
• Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player who has become knownfor turning a history of sexual abuse into awareness and support for other victims.
• Donald R. J. Mackey, aMtis veteran who has ensuredthe sacrifices of First Nations and Mtis veterans are never forgotten. He also establishedthe Sgt. Tommy Prince, MM, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps for inner-city youth.
• Mitch Podolak, the founding artistic director of the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
• Khhem Kamarie (Monica) Singh, a member of the Manitoba Ethnocultural Advocacy and Advisory Council, for actively supporting recent immigrantsto Manitoba.
• JonathanToews, captain of the ChicagoBlackhawksand a gold-medal-winning Olympian.