First Nations leader Ray Ahenakew of the Ahtakakoop First Nation has been named to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

The Order of Merit recognizes people who have contributed in a major way to the well-being of the province and its residents.

Ahenakew is one of eight people named to the Order today by Lt. Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield.

They will be invested on November 27th.

Ahenakew says he is deeply honoured to be invested:

“It’s a real honour to be recognized like that with the Order of Merit.  And it’s too bad it’s one individual within my lifetime that really gets this award, when it’s been so many other people that’s made up my whole work career.”

He once served as president of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and also served as chair of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

Ahenakew also pioneered self-government negotiations with Ottawa as the Meadow Lake Tribal Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

Ahenakew is currently an advisor to the board of SIIT.

He says his big regret is that he couldn’t share the news with his good friend, former SIIT President and CEO Randell Morris.  Morris passed away suddenly last week at the age of 47.