Seven Bisons named to 2026 Order of Manitoba

A remarkable group of Manitobans, many with strong ties to the University of Manitoba, has been named to the 2026 Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. 

The Province of Manitoba announced on Manitoba Day that this year’s recipients include prominent alumni and faculty who have made impacts in health care, business, public service, the arts and community leadership. 

Among the 12 recipients are:

• Tracy Dahl, senior instructor in the Desautels Faculty of Music and Canada’s premiere coloratura soprano who has mentored and inspired generations;
• Dr. Peter MacDonald [BSc/83, MD/83], an internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeon and team doctor for the Winnipeg Jets and the Blue Bombers;
• Ash Modha [BA/98], CEO of Mondetta Clothing, community-builder, philanthropist, and Bison at the centre of it all;
• Dr. Joss Reimer [MD/08, MPH/13]; a Bison at the centre of it all who is the former lead of Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine task force, among many other roles, and Canada’s current Chief Public Health Officer—also a guest on UM’s flagship podcast, “What’s the Big Idea?”
• Diane Roussin [BSW/96], Chair of the Winnipeg Foundation and project director of Winnipeg Boldness who was also a guest on UM’s podcast, “What’s the Big Idea?” and is a Bison at the centre of it all.
• Elder Billie Schibler [BSW/89], an impactful leader and mentor who is, among many other roles, the former CEO of Manitoba’s Métis Child & Family Services Authority and a founding member of Manitoba’s Grandmothers Protecting Our Children Council.
• Lotfollah Shafai, retired Distinguished Professor Emeritus whose research career in the Price Faculty of Engineering provided UM with a global reputation for groundbreaking contributions to communications and electromagnetics (his work paved the way for Smartphones.) 

The formal investiture ceremony will take place later this summer at the Manitoba Legislative Building.