Biography — His Honour the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, S.O.M., Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan

Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart is an acclaimed historian and recognized expert on the Canadian parliamentary process. Dr. Barnhart’s extensive experience in government includes twenty years as Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature and five years as Clerk of the Canadian Senate. He has worked as a consultant to strengthen democratic governance in countries around the world. Dr. Barnhart obtained a Ph.D. in history at the University of Saskatchewan, where he taught political studies and served as University Secretary.  He has published several books on prairie history and Saskatchewan political figures.

Dr. Barnhart believes strongly that youth are the key to Saskatchewan’s future.  He established the Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Forum to inspire high school students to rise to the challenge of leadership.  The rigorous annual Forum exposes participants to the vast educational and career opportunities in the province.

Dr. Barnhart was sworn in as Saskatchewan’s 20th Lieutenant Governor on August 1, 2006.  He is the Chancellor of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and Vice-Prior of the Order of St. John in Saskatchewan.  In 2007, Dr. Barnhart was named one of the University of Saskatchewan’s 100 Alumni of Influence.

His Honour was born and raised in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan.  He and his wife Naomi have a blended family of three grown children and five grandchildren.

Coat-of-Arms

Biography — Her Honour Mrs. Naomi Barnhart

An avid runner, cyclist, and swimmer, Mrs. Barnhart is a passionate advocate of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.  Her Honour has addressed health care professionals and students about the significant issue of childhood obesity.  Mrs. Barnhart believes that the key to motivating children to be more active lies in convincing parents to become role models, who teach their children by example. Mrs. Barnhart has taught strength training to youth and women, and has run marathons for Joints In Motion in Lisbon, Portugal and in the Hamptons, New York in support of the Canadian Arthritis Society.  She attained her goal of running in the Boston Marathon in April of 2010.

Her Honour is privileged to train with renowned coach Ted Jaleta and the Jaleta Pacers running group.  She participates in many charity runs and contributes to fundraising projects for worthy causes in the community.  Mrs. Barnhart is delighted to be an Ambassador for Saskatchewan in motion, and to join them in their goal of seeing Saskatchewan become one of the most physically active provinces in Canada.

Her Honour was raised on a farm near Osler, Saskatchewan.  She and her husband Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart have a blended family of three children and five grandchildren.