John Jennings named to Order of Ontario

Trent professor was one of the early supporters of Canadian Canoe Museum

One of the key players in the development of the Canadian Canoe Museum has been named to the Order of Ontario.

John Jennings was among the 2019 inductees announced by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell on New Year’s Day along with the 2020 inductees.

The Order of Ontario honours people whose efforts leave a legacy in the province.

Jennings, a retired Trent professor and Keene resident, is described in the induction notice as “a central figure in the creation and development of the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough — now a nationally recognized Canadian institution, which educates Canadians about the contribution of the canoe — a national iconic symbol.”

His book, “The Canoe: A Living Tradition” is considered a major element of the study of the canoe in Canadian culture.

Jennings was part of a group of Trent professors who supported Prof. Kirk Wipper’s dream of a canoe museum in Peterborough. Wipper had begun collecting canoes in the 1950s, inspiring a Trent paddling club that soon became the founding canoe museum committee, which included Jennings. He went on to become a pivotal fundraiser for the museum project.

“As chancellor of the Order of Ontario, it is with great pride that I congratulate the 2019 and 2020 Order of Ontario appointees,” Dowdeswell stated in the announcement.

“The announcement on Jan. 1 is special. New Year’s Day is a day for reflection, rejuvenation, and re-setting of goals and priorities. We have seen the best of Ontarians this year, and many of these new appointees are being honoured for a lifetime of service to this province, laying the groundwork of resilience and community that each one of us was called to act upon in this historic global pandemic.

Let these appointees inspire you and encourage you to honour those around you by nominating them to be recognized by the province. We have much to be proud of.”

An induction ceremony will be held when conditions allow public gatherings.

“The Ontario government is proud to recognize and congratulate the 2019 and 2020 Order of Ontario appointees,” stated Lisa MacLeod, minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries. “These exceptional individuals inspire us and represent the very best of our great province. I ask all Ontarians to join me in honouring them and celebrating their accomplishments.”