Celebrated Hamilton musician receives ‘Order of Canada’ recognition
Published July 11, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Tom Wilson, 63, renowned Canadian music legend, storyteller, and visual artist, has been honoured with one of Canada’s highest achievements: admission into the Order of Canada.
The honour recognizes his ‘multifaceted contributions to the arts’ in Canada, celebrating his iconic music career and his tireless advocacy for Indigenous communities across the country.
The news came as an emotional surprise to Wilson, who expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the significant impact of those who supported him throughout his journey via a recent social media post.
“This is a very emotional and unexpected moment for me. I bring with me Bunny and George Wilson, the two people who gave me a fighting chance, my family, and every one of my Mohawk ancestors,” Wilson wrote.
Wilson, whose memoir titled Beautiful Scars became a national bestseller, delves into the profound impact of discovering his Indigenous heritage.
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The memoir served as a catalyst for his journey of self-discovery and fueled his determination to bring a deeper awareness of Canada’s true history and the power and beauty of Indigenous people through his art, writing, and music.
“I hope this appointment will help to influence the results of my work for indigenous education and support my positive intentions as I help bring a deeper awareness of the true history of this country and the power and beauty of indigenous people forward through my art my writing and my music,” Wilson added.
The musician expressed his appreciation for his long-time friend and art associate, Stewart Pollock, for his instrumental role in introducing him to this esteemed circle of outstanding Canadians.
“I met Stewart in grade 9 at Sherwood Secondary School on the East Mountain. We made mischief and got ourselves into plenty of trouble. I never would have imagined back then that Stew and I would soon be standing toe to toe being honoured by the Governor General.”
As an iconic musician and advocate, Wilson continues to make a lasting impact on Canada’s cultural landscape.