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Calgary's Top 7 Over 70 revealed, will receive award at May gala

Award recognizes seniors for work they had undertaken after they had turned 70

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Calgary’s top seven seniors over the age of 70 were revealed Wednesday ahead of a biennial gala scheduled for May.

The third group of recipients of the Top 7 Over 70 awards were unveiled at a ceremony at Heritage Park’s Gasoline Alley, with each individual being recognized for work they have done since they turned 70.

This year’s group of honourees include philanthropists, sports builders, an Indigenous elder, a playwright and a mental health researcher. They will officially receive their awards in the spring at a gala hosted at the Hyatt.

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Miiksika’am, who was given the name Clarence Wolfleg at residential school, said as he accepted the award that he was thinking of everyone who has helped him in life, including his mother, father and wife.

Winner Miiksika’am (Elder Clarence Wolfleg) was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Miiksika’am (Elder Clarence Wolfleg) was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Miiksika’am is a residential school survivor who has served in the Canadian military and spent years on the council of the Siksika Nation. He has more recently been recognized with an honorary doctorate from Mount Royal University and has advised a number of institutions and organizations as a spiritual elder.

“Today, it’s quite an honour,” said Miiksika’am. “It’s not so much my age. It’s a bit about what I have been privileged to witness in my journey. You know, I acknowledge all these people that also were nominated for this award.”

Miiksika’am continues to speak to younger generations about restorative justice, residential schools and stories from his past. He said he plans to move back to the Siksika Nation and will continue to speak to young people.

“The young people got to get back to their identity, not so much the negative things that are happening in our world today, but also to guide them to say, look at it from the positive point. You have to develop courage, like I did. So I’m going to be here to guide them in the future,” said Miiksika’am.

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Meanwhile, Margaret Southern was selected for her work building sports opportunities in Calgary. Southern co-founded the Spruce Meadows equestrian park and recently helped bring Cavalry FC to Calgary to give soccer players a chance to play professionally in Alberta.

Winner Margaret Southern was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Margaret Southern was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Southern also helped establish the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Program that helps Calgarians in need. During the 2015 federal election, she travelled to Ontario to help get seniors out to vote.

“I think that all of the things that I’ve been able to get involved with have meant a lot to me,” said Southern. “I hope they’ve helped.”

The Top 7 Over 70 awards are given out once every two years, with the first set of recipients recognized in 2017.

Jim Gray, the founder of the awards, told the crowd at Wednesday’s event that they were established to recognize seniors for work they had undertaken after they had turned 70.

Winners (from left) Margaret Southern, Murray McCann, Miiksika’am (Elder Clarence Wolfleg), Louis B. Hobson, Sherali Saju, and Bonnie Kaplan were photographed in Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park in Calgary, Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Missing is Don Taylor.
Winners (from left) Margaret Southern, Murray McCann, Miiksika’am (Elder Clarence Wolfleg), Louis B. Hobson, Sherali Saju, and Bonnie Kaplan were photographed in Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park in Calgary, Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Missing is Don Taylor. Gavin Young/Postmedia

He said there are many awards for the top young people in the city, and there are lifetime achievement awards for older individuals, but there was not a space to recognize accomplishments made later in life.

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“I have been truly amazed at the achievements of citizens over the age of 70. Over the years, I’ve met a growing number of people who have started all kinds of marvellous new ventures long after they formally retire, which is a word that I think should be retired,” said Gray.

Along with recognizing older Calgarians, the awards partner with InterGen, an organization that works to connect young entrepreneurs with elders who can help guide them.

Winner Sherali Saju was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Sherali Saju was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Sherali Saju, who helps new Canadians secure mortgages and loans to start businesses, was among Wednesday’s recipients. He has worked to raise millions in funds to help people in the developing world.

Don Taylor is receiving the award for his philanthropy work, donating from his personal wealth to a number of institutions around Calgary, including Mount Royal University.

Don Taylor, one of the 2021 Top 7 Over 70 recipients in Calgary. Photo courtesy Taylor family.
Don Taylor, one of the 2021 Top 7 Over 70 recipients in Calgary. Photo courtesy Taylor family.

Louis Hobson, a longtime theatre and film critic with a number of media organizations, including the Calgary Herald and Sun, will receive the award for his work.

On top of his work as a critic, he has been directing and writing theatre shows, including several that are scheduled to premiere when public health measures allow.

Winner Louis B. Hobson was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Louis B. Hobson was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Bonnie Kaplan, a research psychologist and author, is being honoured for publishing a book, The Better Brain, on her research around mental health disorders and proper nutrition as well as her efforts to ensure young scientists can continue research in the field.

Winner Bonnie Kaplan was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Bonnie Kaplan was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

Murray McCann, the creator of the Field of Crosses along Memorial Drive, is being recognized for his work in changing the way veterans are honoured in southern Alberta.

Winner Murray McCann was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Winner Murray McCann was photographed at Heritage Park in Calgary on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Gavin Young/Postmedia

dshort@postmedia.com

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