Stuart Thiesson Memorial Award: Gender Equity Champion

This memorial award is to celebrate the life of Stuart Thiesson, long time member of the National Farmers Union and bold advocate of farmers’ rights. His legacy shall live on within the NFU on behalf of those who continue making strides towards making agriculture systems more equitable.

Stuart grew up in the community of McMahon, Sk. before heading to Moose Jaw to take teacher training. After a year of teaching he headed to Saskatoon in 1951. For the next 41 years he worked for the Saskatchewan Farmers Union and later the National Farmers Union. Stuart was a strong advocate for farmers and rural communities. Stuart also served on the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board from 1961-1964, the Statistics Canada Advisory Committee on Agriculture from 1985-1998, and he was a founding board member of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1971 and served until 1981.

Stuart also served as secretary treasurer with the National Farmers Foundation for many years. In addition to his work in agriculture Stuart was also a strong believer in affordable and accessible health care for all and was a founding director of the Saskatoon Community Clinic from 1962-1968. In 2000 Stuart was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan and in 2007 was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.

This annual award is given in the name of Stuart Thiesson who passed away on January 14, 2021.

Stuart Thiesson Award Call for nominations

Award Criteria and Details:
This award is open to any NFU member who displays exemplary work and leadership in advancing gender equity in agriculture. One award will be allocated annually at the National Convention for the next 10 years. Recipients of the Stuart Thiesson Memorial Award will have their name engraved on the base of a bronze statue of a strong, determined woman that will be proudly displayed at the National office of the NFU. The winner will also receive $250.

Nominations for this award will be accepted annually on a rolling basis until November 1. The award winner will be announced at the annual convention.

To nominate someone, send entries to the National Farmers Union by email to: nfu@nfu.ca or by mail to: National Farmers Union, 2717 Wentz Ave., Saskatoon, SK, S7K4B6. All entries will be forwarded to the current Women’s Caucus President. Entries will be reviewed by a steering committee formed within the Women’s Caucus.

Nominations shall include:

  • Name, pronouns, and region of nominee
  • A 250 word description of the nominees contributions to advancing gender equity in agriculture.