In a prestigious year-end announcement, Canadian country music legend Terri Clark has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. The honour, one of the country's highest civilian awards, recognizes her profound contributions to the arts and her role in elevating Canadian music on the world stage.
A Proud Moment for a Canadian Trailblazer
The appointments were made public on December 31, 2025, by the office of Governor General Mary Simon. Clark was one of 80 new recipients named to the order, a list that also included distinguished figures such as Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse, gymnast Ellie Black, Indigenous leaders, journalists, and medical professionals.
Clark, a native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, who now resides in Nashville, was recognized specifically for leaving "an indelible mark on the genre at home and abroad." The official citation highlighted her groundbreaking achievement as the first Canadian woman inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Her career, the statement noted, has inspired countless artists and opened doors for international recognition, significantly elevating the profile of Canadian country music.
"This One is For Her": Clark's Heartfelt Reaction
The singer-songwriter shared her profound gratitude and emotion on her Instagram page following the announcement. She revealed that her mother had often spoken of the Order of Canada as the pinnacle of civilian honour in the nation.
"When I was a young girl growing up in Alberta, with my sights set on the Grand Ole Opry... my mother would often talk about one honour being head and shoulders above the rest… the Order of Canada," Clark wrote. "I’ve been incredibly fortunate to see so many dreams and wishes come true in my life, but this one is for her."
She expressed humility at being included among other iconic Canadian musical recipients like Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, and k.d. lang, concluding with a message of thanks to the Governor General.
A Legacy of Homecoming and Hall of Fame Recognition
Despite her international success, Clark has maintained strong ties to her home province. Notably, she returned to Alberta in November 2023 to perform with fellow country star Paul Brandt on their "Homecoming Tour 2.0" at Calgary's Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
This latest accolade follows another major honour in 2023, when Clark was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, cementing her status as a pillar of the nation's musical heritage. Her appointment to the Order of Canada serves as a formal national acknowledgment of a career that has proudly carried the Canadian flag into the heart of Nashville and beyond.
