History Matters
Canada’s history champions honoured at Governor General’s History Awards.
Celebrating Canada’s history makers at the Governor General’s History Awards.
Twenty years ago, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, together with Canada’s History Society, launched a new award program to celebrate exemplary history teachers. LeBlanc, a former teacher, knew that this recognition would inspire new generations of both teachers and students.
Since then, the Governor General’s History Awards has become an annual celebration of teachers, leaders in popular media and in scholarly research, as well as museum professionals and community volunteers.
Last November, Canada’s History and its partner organizations gathered at in Ottawa to honour the 2016 winners. As well, before a standing-room-only crowd, leaders in the Indigenous, scholarly, and educational communities came together for the Canada’s History Forum on Engaging Authentic Indigenous Histories.
Canada’s History salutes all history champions — both this year’s winners, and the more than 160 honourees from previous years. Their work is inspiring change, building confidence, and influencing new generations of storytellers.
As we mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, these history educators and leaders are helping to navigate the course to Canada 150 — and beyond. View the 2016 Canada’s History Forum at www.CanadasHistory.ca/HistoryForum.
Clockwise from top left: Governor General David Johnston, centre, presents teachers Lori Buchanan, left, and Adam Pounder, right, with their award.
Chris Stamper, SVP corporate marketing, TD Bank Group, left, and History Makers Gala MC Alexandre Despatie.
Award recipients attend the presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall, Ottawa.
Randy Boissonnault, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Canadian Heritage.
Pierre Berton Award winner Merna Forster.
Elder Claudette Commanda of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin First Nation speaks at the Wabano Centre for Aborginal Health, Ottawa.
From left, Young Citizens Sarah Krause, Kasi Kafka-Kotelko, and Sukhmandip Kang create art at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Imagine a Canada workshop at the Wabano Centre.