Churchill resident William (Bill) Ayotte was in Rideau Hall in Ottawa May 1 to receive the Star of Courage from Gov. Gen. David Johnston for coming to the rescue of Erin Greene when she was attacked by a polar bear in the Hudson Bay port town on Nov. 1, 2013.
Ayotte was the only recipient of the Star of Courage, Canada’s second-highest decoration for bravery, which recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril, at Friday’s ceremony
Thirty-six other Canadians at the ceremony, including three Manitobans, received Medals of Bravery, which recognize acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
Ayotte, 69 at the time, grabbed a shovel and began hitting the bear when it attacked Greene, distracting it long enough for her to escape. The bear then mauled him and neighbours shot at the bear to chase it away.
“In you, I see proof of humanity and decency and courage in the world,” said the Governor General in his speech to the recipients of decorations for bravery. “It doesn’t fade, doesn’t tarnish. It remains as pristine today as it did during the first bravery award presentation more than 40 years ago. That is why I still get goose bumps each time I present these awards, every time I hear stories of bravery.”
Ayotte received the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, one of Manitoba’s highest honours, last October for his bravery.
