LSA member and former President (2012) Keren Rice has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a linguist and scholar whose research on Canada’s North has notably helped to preserve the Athapaskan languages.

The Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Rice has achieved major recognition for her work: in addition the present honor, she received the prestigious Killam Prize (given annualy to five of Canada's finest academics for their devoted work to scientific and scholastic research over their lifetime) in 2011, and a Molson Prize (given for outstanding lifetime achievements and ongoing contributions to the cultural and intellectual life of Canada) in 2012.