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 an enthusiastic advocate of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.  Her Honour regularly addresses 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 ran a marathon for Joints In Motion in Lisbon, Portugal, in support of the Canadian Arthritis Society.  Her Honour participates in many Saskatchewan charity runs and is presently training with Regina Multisport.

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 by 2010.

Mrs. Barnhart is honourary patron of the Girl Guides of Canada Saskatchewan Council, I.O.D.E., the Regina and Saskatoon Chapters of Osteoporosis Canada, and the Regina Council of Women.

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