Joni Mitchell has received the Order of Canada, been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and received Billboard magazine's Century Award for distinguished achievement. Overseas she has been honored with commendations from Germany, Italy, Sweden and Great Britain.

Yet in Saskatoon, where as a precocious youngster she absorbed the sights and sounds of the prairies that shaped both her lyrical and artistic talent, she is practically a non-entity.

But an informal gathering of long-time admirers -we spearheading a drive to change" that inequity.

"Europe tends to honor their artists with statues, some kind of recognition," Paul Jacoby said this week. "As a teacher, the thing I like about recognizing Joni is that kids and the "whole community can recognize that greatness comes from here.

"We are brought up with the idea that culture happens someplace else. And these great cultural icons are from everywhere else but here. And when you finally get somebody, whether its Gordie Howe or Joni Mitchell, who became in their time, as good as anyone in this world at what they do, I think it behooves us to stand back and say they come from here and it means anything is possible. Kids can dream, can see that this kind of thing is not beyond them. We need to recognize those kinds of accomplishments."

Jacoby's sentiments were echoed by Dr. Earle DeCpteau who, just this year, discovered the breadth of Mitchell's incredible talent

DeCoteau, a professor of medicine and head of geriatric medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, is spearheading a drive to bring Mitchell the honors he believes she deserves in her hometown.

With an enthusiasm he admits borders on obsession, DeCoteau has collected a wealth of information about Mitchell's life and career in order to fully understand the complex, passionate woman behind the songs and works of art.

"She's just an amazing person from every point of view," says the doctor, whose passion for Canadiana, and especially Saskatchewan, is boundless.

"I think people in Saskatoon feel she never returns to the city, but she makes frequent visits to the city," DeCoteau said. "She should be recognized. I personally consider her one of the most amazing persons the province has ever spawned."

DeCoteau said the university could pay tribute to Mitchell by granting her an honorary doctorate.

He noted the university has honored Indian Head actor Eric Peterson while Lakehead University in Thunder Bay has bestowed Neil Young with such honors. The city and Meewasin Valley Authority will be approached in the coming months to consider a timeless memorial to Mitchell. Her fertile imagination was fueled by idyllic days spent along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River making it an appropriate location for a tribute.