Sheila Watt-Cloutier to receive Order of Canada

Sheila Watt-Cloutier will receive the Order of Canada Friday, at a special ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Watt-Cloutier is being recognized for her work as the Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference.

Shehas raised awareness of the impact of climate change and pollution on the health and cultural survival of Inuit.

As a spokesperson, she persuaded the international community to agree with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

She also served as coordinator of the Nunavik Educational Task Force, which produced an influential report on the education system in Northern Quebec.

The Order of Canada, the country's highest honour,was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean will preside over the ceremony which will also see environmentalist David Suzuki receive a promotion to Companion.