Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 25, 2007
• Invested on: April 11, 2008

Kenneth Thorlakson has been a pillar of Manitoba's Icelandic community for many years. A legendary fundraiser, he has been instrumental in ensuring that the cultural and linguistic heritage of his forbearers is preserved, enhanced and passed on to future generations. The Icelandic community newspaper as well as the University of Manitoba's extensive collection of Icelandic manuscripts and books and its Department of Icelandic Language and Literature have benefited from his dedication and support. Widely respected as a surgeon and teacher, he has also been a mentor to numerous young physicians over the years.