Steinbach's Cindi Rempel Patrick was one of 48 unsung heroes across Canada to recently receive the Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal.

The Chief Creative Officer of the Steinbach Arts Council was nominated by Winnipeg Senator Patricia Bovey who says Rempel Patrick's passion for the arts has benefited people in her community over many years. Rempel Patrick says the award came as a shock but adds it was an absolute honour to receive it.

Rempel Patrick is quick to credit her team for the success of the arts community in the southeast. "We've got a great board, we've got a great arts community, we've got a great group of volunteers and staff so collectively we make it successful but it's nice to know that maybe my contribution to that has helped to make it successful so I share it with all of them because we're a team. When we all get together, we can all celebrate this medal together."

Rempel Patrick says she is a big believer that art is for everyone, everyday and everywhere. Whether it is something you hear on the radio or music, even sporting events, Rempel Patrick indicates that when you go through your day, you will find something that has been created by an artist.

"Art touches our lives in every way," adds Rempel Patrick who says that is what drives her to get involved in the arts community.

Rempel Patrick describes her recent trip to Ottawa as a "wow experience".

"I first understood that I might be meeting the Senator in her office, she'll give me the medal, we'll shake hands and we'll go for lunch. It was a full-on prestigious ceremony being piped in by the bagpipers, the keeper of the black rod lead the speaker in and all the Senators. All the pomp and circumstance it was just amazing and all the recipients we were all escorted together and we were all awarded in a very formal and special way. I have never felt more proud to be Canadian."