SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — André Lewis, O.M.

Colleagues, today I rise to talk about the amazing André Lewis.

He is the Artistic Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and next year, he will celebrate his fiftieth and final year with the company.

Under his leadership, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, or RWB, has risen to become one of Canada’s — and the world’s — premier dance companies. In North America, the RWB is the only ballet company that has been granted a “Royal” designation. As its Artistic Director, André is well known for his ability to balance the enduring appeal of classic productions and the creation of bold new works. In fact, one of André’s best-known successes is the 1999 adaptation of the Nutcracker. The RWB version reflects Prairie life and Canadian traditions with an emphasis on children and families, all while respecting the classic ballet.

One of his proudest moments as Artistic Director was the commission of a groundbreaking and internationally acclaimed ballet called Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation, which examined the effects of the residential school system.

Born in Gatineau, Quebec, André began his ballet training here in Ottawa. In 1975, he was accepted into the professional division of the RWB and was promoted to soloist in 1982. He retired from dance in 1990, became the RWB’s associate artistic director in 1992, and then Artistic Director in 1996. Since 2018, he has served as both Artistic Director and the Chief Executive Officer.

Throughout his career, André has been called the face, the conscience and the inspirational guide of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He is deeply involved with community outreach programs, such as Ballet in the Park and Sharing Dance, both of which aim to bring ballet to where people are. He was also instrumental in establishing the RWB’s Indigenous Advisory Circle.

He has been honoured with the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Manitoba, and he has been appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.

Based on everything I’ve just told you, you may not realize that André Lewis is a man deeply grounded in humility and grace, but his family — some of whom are here in the gallery today — knows that he is a Canadian treasure.

Caroline, Émilie and Daniel, thank you for sharing your husband and father with us.

André, thank you for everything. Meegwetch.