Local photographer awarded Order of Canada for her work celebrating the Arctic

An Ottawa photographer who started by volunteering at galas is being awarded the Order of Canada for raising awareness about Canada's North through her work.

“Being a photographer hasn't been an easy career, let's just say, but it's been a wonderful one for sure,” Michelle Valberg told The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Valberg said she wanted to photograph Canada's Arctic to showcase a part of the country so few people get to experience.

“I wanted to show the beauty and wonder we had in Canada with a soft environmental message saying, 'You know what, if we don't take better care of our planet, we have a lot to lose,'” she said.  

I'm extremely grateful to receive the Order of Canada today for bringing awareness to Canada’s North through my photography and work with @ProjectNorthCDN It’s been an honour to be able to capture the beauty, wonder &diversity of Canada the Arctic. #OrderOfCanada #GGHonours pic.twitter.com/2VSzWsCo0T

— Michelle Valberg C.M. (@michellevalberg) June 29, 2022

Upon getting the phone call that she was receiving the Order of Canada, Valberg said she couldn't speak through her tears for at least five minutes.

“It was a moment I'll never forget. It was complete disbelief and honour and overwhelming,” she said.

Listen to the full interview with Michelle Valberg below: