Cloutier officially joins Order of Canada

Edith Cloutier, President of the Regroupement des Centres d’amitié Autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ), was officially invested into the Order of Canada May 7.

Cloutier has worked to improve the lives of urban Aboriginals for years. This is particularly true in Val d’Or, where she has served as Executive Director of the Native Friendship Centre since the age of 23.

“Receiving the Order of Canada is overwhelming,” Cloutier told the Nation. “I needed to take a step back and look at the past 25 years of my life to better understand what was happening. After some consideration, it all came down to the fact that I enjoy serving my people and being committed to the improvement of the quality of life of my Brothers and Sisters living in the city. The Friendship Centre movement has been my life, therefore, I wish to share this honour with all of my colleagues who are at the heart of these wonderful organizations across Canada.”

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Created in 1967, it recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.