March 19, 2010
BILLY MERASTY INDUCTED INTO ORDER OF THE BUFFALO HUNT
Premier Greg Selinger recognized writer and actor Billy Merasty for outstanding achievement in the arts by inducting him into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt at a ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building today.
“Billy Merasty exemplifies the Manitoba spirit of creativity, hard work and commitment to social justice,” said Selinger. “On behalf of Manitobans, I am pleased to honour Billy while he is back in his home province performing the lead role in a critically acclaimed and important play.”
Merasty is in Winnipeg this week as the lead actor in Where the Blood Mixes, winner of the 2009 Governor General’s Award for drama. The play tackles Canada’s painful history of residential schools and “the ‘60s scoop”, referring to the adoption of First Nation and Métis children in Canada between the years of 1960 and the mid-1980’s, through the experiences of one family and their community. The show closes this Saturday afternoon at the Prairie Theatre Exchange.
Merasty’s film and television credits include Le Confessional, Exotica, Liberty Street, The Red Green Show, Moose TV and Stardom and the locally produced movie Elijah. He has also written two plays: Fireweed (1992) and For Godly and Divinia (2001).
The Order of the Buffalo Hunt was founded in 1957 to recognize the outstanding and distinctive contributions of leaders in areas such as politics, business, sports and entertainment.
Merasty joins many notable people who have also received this award including Aboriginal leaders Dorothy Nepinak Betz and Mary Richard, artist Leo Mol and entertainer Neil Young.
- 30 -
No comments:
Post a Comment