Lawyer and activist and author Michelle Good and children’s author Elizabeth MacLeod are among the literary and publishing world’s recently appointed Members of the Order of Canada for 2025.

Governor General Mary Simon announced 80 appointments on Dec. 31, 2025.

Good, author of the multi-award-winning novel Five Little Indians and Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada is a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan and was recognized for confronting “laws that continue to hurt Indigenous communities and advocates reconciliation, truth and respect.”

MacLeod is known for her nonfiction work, particularly about “events and prominent individuals who have shaped the nation’s identity” (including many titles in the Scholastic Canada Biography series), “that make make topics like science and history accessible and exciting for young readers.”

The former director of the Canada Council for the Arts, Simon Brault, was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada as was songwriter, entertainer, and author Raffi Cavoukian.

Phyllis A. Arnold, educator, author, and founder/publisher of Alberta educational publisher Arnold Publishing (bought by Nelson in 2002), was also made a Member of the Order of Canada, along with author Elly Gotz, authors and academics Hans-Jürgen Greif and James Retallack, and playwright and accessibility advocate Chris Dodd.