CTV.ca News Staff
Her simple start in life gave no clue that Shania Twain would one day travel the world singing her songs to millions of people.
Even further from her mind would have been thoughts of developing a perfume fragrance to sell under her name.
Finally, being recognized with Canada's highest civilian honour – The Order of Canada – is an even bigger surprise for the Timmins, Ontario native. However, Twain takes it all in stride.
"I feel really neat about it," the singer told CTV Toronto reporter Jacintha Wesselingh. "It's nice, it's a real honour and … I'll just be in such great company."
Twain said she is looking forward to Friday's awards ceremony with Governor General Michaelle Jean.
It tops off an extraordinary week for anyone, even an international singing star. Tuesday night she shared a stage with Billy Joel at the Country Music Association Awards in New York City.
On Friday she will join 43 other people – including speed skater Catriona Le May Doan and Former British Columbia Premier David Barrett – receiving the nation's top honour.
Awards do not seem to motivate Twain. After all, she has won a dozen Junos and five Grammys in the course of selling 34 million CDs worldwide. Instead, her recent charitable work for Canadian children gets her most excited during interviews.
Perhaps her memories of sometimes being hungry as a child prompted her to give a boost to underprivileged children.
An unnamed school in Ontario receives from Twain a salary for a full-time teacher who provides needy children with good food and private tutoring. The program is customized for each school, offering lessons in life skills such as cooking, as well as academic assistance if needed.
"Our pilot year was a great success, and all the kids in the school benefit, it brings them together," Twains says.
"The program is growing as the school board adds two more schools. It's working, so I'm very excited and very happy about it."
"The goal is to get the entire country on the program," Twain said with a laugh.
It is an idea that is probably sweeter than the perfume bearing her name.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Shania Twain poses for photographers with her new perfume between interviews in Toronto, Thursday Nov. 17, 2005. (CP / Adrian Wyld)
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