Bell appointed to Order of Canada

North Kildonan

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This article was published 09/01/2023 (714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A well-known local singer-songwriter has been appointed to the Order of Canada.

North Kildonan’s Steve Bell is among 99 Canadians appointed to the order, it was announced on Dec. 29, 2022.

“It’s a little startling, right?” Bell said. “It’s a different kind of thing than a music award. Instantly, a million voices go off in your head objecting. You’re shocked. But the minute you say yes, it’s yours. When you read the list of others who have gotten it, it is lovely to be part of their company.”

An award winning Christian singer-songwriter who was recognized for his contributions to Canadian music and his advocacy of social and community news, Bell was joined by fellow Manitobans Bernard Joseph Bocquel, Maria Emma Chaput, and Patricia Margaret Ningewance who were all appointed as members of the order. The Governor General of Canada makes the appointments on the recommendations of an advisory council.

Bell said the award became more meaningful for him after considering the Order’s motto, Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam, which translates to “they desire a better country.”

“That’s lovely,” Bell said. “I’m aware that I’m a white, cisgendered male and their aren’t many more privileged people in history. Canada has been very good to me. But it hasn’t been good to everybody. I have for years championed others, so the way I think of this, what has been a tendency is now a mandate. There’s more urgency to the work now.”

Like other performing artists, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic kept Bell away from performing live for over two years. Now he’s back on stage, and looking forward to a full slate of upcoming concerts.

“Getting back on stage this fall was pure joy to me,” Bell said. “In the end, all the things I do I’m happiest sitting on a stage in front of people. I’ll do that as long as I can.”

But during Bell’s downtime, he and his team invested in video gear to livestream performances and keep connected with his audience.

“As bad as COVID has been, for all of us, we never would have picked up these skills and technologies without it. It’s this sudden gift,” Bell said. “The question now is what will we do with all this video capacity we picked up during COVID? Maybe we do MasterClasses in guitar, that kind of thing. Maybe some small documentaries. What stories can we tell, what issues can we centre?”

Bell was quick to note that over the course of his prolific career, he hasn’t done it all himself.

“I’ve been really blessed to be surrounded with people with companion virtues,” he said. “My wife believes in them, my manager and staff believe in them. They work hard so that I can do what I do. It’s because of who they are.”

For more information, including upcoming concerts, visit stevebell.com