Launched in 2005, the Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award was created to recognize an employee or a group of employees of a governmental or quasi-governmental body at the federal, provincial or municipal level for distinguished service to Manitoba’s Francophone community.
This biennial Award is a joint initiative of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine, the Federal Government, the Manitoba Francophone Affairs Secretariat, and the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM).
The award has been named in honour of Ronald Duhamel and his significant contributions, first as a senior public servant in the Government of Manitoba and then as a federal MP, minister and senator.
Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Société de la francophonie manitobaine no later than January 31, 2025.
We hope that many of you will submit nominations!
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Who is Ronald Duhamel ?
The award has been named in honour of Ronald Duhamel and his significant contributions, first as a senior public servant in the Government of Manitoba and then as a federal MP, minister and senator.
During his career, Mr. Duhamel did much to promote the cultural, educational, economic and political development of the Franco-Manitoban community. He also supported a number of minority Francophone community initiatives at the national level.
Furthermore, Mr. Ronald Duhamel played a leading role in representing Francophone minority community interests to his colleagues, for the purpose of raising their awareness and ensuring that the necessary influence was exerted to bring about significant change and normalize the communities’ relationship with the various levels of government.
Award criteria
The individuals or teams nominated must, in the context of their work, have demonstrated excellence and innovation in
- planning and providing French-language services tailored to fit the needs of the Francophone community of Manitoba;
- supporting the development of the Francophone community of Manitoba;
- creating conditions conducive to greater use of French in the workplace.
Who may be nominated?
Any individual or team of individuals that works or has worked in Manitoba for a governmental or quasi-govermental body which is subject to Canada’s Official Languages Act or the Government of Manitoba’s French-Language Services Policy or forms part of a member municipality of the AMBM. A group of individuals need not work or have worked for the same body in order to be nominated as a team.
Recently-retired employees are eligible to be nominated for accomplishments dating back no more than two years from the nomination deadline.
Who may submit a nomination?
Anyone wishing to recognize the contribution of an eligible individual in accordance with the above criteria.
Award presentation
The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award will be presented every two years by the Société de la francophonie manitobaine, the federal government, the provincial Francophone Affairs Secretariat and the Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (AMBM). The next award will be presented in the spring of 2025 as part of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.
Selection committee
The committee is made up of four individuals, each representing one of the following entities: the federal government, the provincial government, the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) and the Société de la francophonie manitobaine.
« Triade »
The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award is represented by the Triade sculpture. The sculpture is lent to the recipient(s) until the next award ceremony. Each recipient also receives a Triade print, to be kept as a lasting souvenir.
A triadic structure representing the union of the three original partners (federal government, provincial government and community), the Award evokes the harmony of a perfect chord. The structure is made up of individuals, people who are actively seeking their rights, committed and well rooted in the Francophone reality. They show exceptional and essential vitality in the pursuit of the truth as they have chosen to live it within their setting. They invite into their circle those who wish to join them or to learn to understand that reality. This is thus a grouping of three elements in a state of positive interaction.
The piece is made up of three shapes (pillars), mixing the abstract and the figurative, placed in a circle, persons whose arms are thrust upward and intermingled, reflecting the cooperation between the two levels of government and the community. The shapes, in not touching, suggest autonomy. But they are partners. Their feet are firmly planted in the soil, as the French language is well rooted in the greatest depth of our being. The upward stretched arms are signs of celebration.
The piece is 45 cm tall and 19.5 cm in diameter. It has elements of bronze and granite. La Triade is the work of Franco-Manitoban artist Gary Tessier.