January 22, 2004 OTTAWA– Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will spend four days in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from January 24 to 27, 2004. This will be the fourth in a series of visits focused on urban centres. Their Excellencies will engage residents of Saskatoon in a series of dialogues designed to explore innovative approaches, initiatives and current projects that make Saskatoon a good place to live for all its residents.The detailed itinerary of the Governor General's visit to Saskatoon is attached (Annex A).NOTE: All events are open to media unless otherwise stated. Please contact the Rideau Hall Press Office beforehand if you wish to set up media interviews.-30-Media information: Marilyne Guèvremont Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 290-4552 www.gg.ca Randy Mylyk Press Secretary to the Governor General (613) 797-9248Annex A Itinerary: Saskatoon – January 24-27, 2004 Saturday, January 24 2:00 p.m. Citizenship Ceremony, Presentation of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards and Community Reception (Delta Bessborough Hotel, 601 Spadina Crescent East, Battleford Room and William Pascoe Room)The public is invited to this joint ceremony celebrating Canadian citizenship and community involvement. The Governor General will swear in approximately 30 new Canadian citizens and will present the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to two residents from Saskatchewan for their outstanding volunteer contributions to their communities. The Governor General will also deliver the keynote speech of her visit to Saskatoon. A community reception will follow the joint ceremony.The Governor General's Caring Canadian Award is presented to individuals and groups whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in their community. Recipients have served over a number of years and normally have not been recognized previously by a national or provincial honour. The award consists of a framed certificate and a lapel pin for everyday wear. Additional information about this award can be found at http://www.gg.ca/honours/caring_e.asp.See Annex B for the Caring Canadian Award recipients' citations.Please contact Garnet Quigley, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, at (306) 975-4619 for further information regarding the citizenship ceremony.7:00 p.m. "Saskatoon, Literally: Our City through the Eyes of its Authors" (Saskatoon Public Library, Frances Morrison Branch, 311-23rd Street East, Auditorium)The public is invited to participate in a literary evening where Governor General Clarkson, John Ralston Saul and writers Yann Martel, Tim Lilburn, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Louise Halfe and David Carpenter will discuss Saskatoon through literature. Please contact Community Relations at the Saskatoon Public Library at (306) 975-7530 for further information.Sunday, January 25 1:30 p.m. Visit of Saskatoon's Core NeighbourhoodsThe Governor General will visit Saskatoon's Core neighbourhoods to learn more about life in those areas. Please contact Marilyne Guèvremont at the Rideau Hall Press Office for further details.2:30 p.m. Roundtable at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge (602-20th Street )The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will take part in a roundtable discussion on civic engagement, as well as learn about Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community and cooperation projects (photo opportunity at the beginning of the discussion.) Please contact Karen Pine-Cheechoo, Director of the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, at (306) 653-7676 for further information.7:00 p.m. Meeting and dinner with community leaders (Calories Café) (CLOSED TO MEDIA)Monday, January 269:30 a.m. Meeting with Elders (1150-606 Spadina Crescent East)The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will meet with the Elders of Saskatoon at the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (photo opportunity during the smudge ceremony at the beginning of the meeting.) Please contact Judge David Arnot, Commissioner, at (306) 244-2100 for further information.10:45 a.m. Traditional storytelling with Grade 2 students (1150-606 Spadina Crescent East)While at the Treaty Commissioner's Office, Governor General Clarkson and John Ralston Saul will have the opportunity to talk to Grade 2 students taking part in a traditional workshop given by Joseph Naytowhow, a singer, dancer and storyteller (photo opportunity.) Please contact Judge David Arnot, Commissioner, at (306) 244-2100 for further information.12:00 p.m. Lunch meeting with representatives of the University of the Arctic (Boffins Café)The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will meet with students and professors taking classes through the University of the Arctic at the University of Saskatchewan (photo opportunity following the meeting.) Please contact Greg Poelzer at (306) 966-1607 for further information.2:00 p.m. Roundtable discussion at the Muskeg Lake Urban ReserveThe Governor General and John Ralston Saul will talk to members of the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities about the successes and challenges of the urban reserve in Saskatoon (photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting). Please contact Doug Cuthand at (306) 477-4572 for further information.4:00 p.m. John Ralston Saul (Faculty Club, University of Saskatchewan)John Ralston Saul will meet with university faculty members regarding French language instruction and services at the University of Saskatchewan . (CLOSED TO MEDIA)Tuesday, January 27 10:00 a.m. Traditional Grand Entry Ceremony and discussion at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC, Saskatoon Campus, 710 Duke Street)The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will hold a roundtable discussion on the future of post-secondary Aboriginal education (photo opportunity during the traditional Grand Entry Ceremony and at the beginning of meeting.) Please contact Debra Laliberte at (306) 931-1807 for further information.5:00 p.m. The Governor General's roundtable on "The Good City" (St. Joseph High School, 115 Nelson Road) The Governor General and John Ralston Saul invite the people of Saskatoon to attend an after-school roundtable on "The Good City". This discussion with Grade 12 students from high schools across the city will focus on what makes Saskatoon a good place to live for all its residents. Please contact Rick Rowley, Principal at St. Joseph High School, at (306) 668-7801, for further information.Annex B Citations for the Caring Canadian Award Recipients Tanyss Bell Phillips, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardTanyss Bell Phillips has helped people in her community for 40 years. She has held many positions within the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, prepared Christmas dinners and hampers, and served on the board of a program for young women in crisis. Through the pastoral care committee at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, she has visited many patients at Royal University Hospital. In addition to helping older adults retain their independence by running errands and providing them with companionship, she has offered encouragement and guidance to the many young people she has met through her children and her church.Marvis Wilm, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardBeing a volunteer is a way of life for Marvis Wilm. A member of the Lioness and Lions Club in Prince Albert for 20 years, she has served as its president, managed operations for the Lions Eye Bank of Saskatchewan, spearheaded an initiative to provide a family with Christmas dinner and gifts, and played a key role in the organization of many Lions Club special events. A committed fundraiser, she has devoted 12 years to the Canadian Diabetes Association. She has also gone above and beyond her duties as regional coordinator of disaster services for the Canadian Red Cross, volunteering hundreds of hours to train volunteers and provide emergency services.
