History Matters

Governor General’s History Awards recipients recognized for their dedication and desire to keep Canadian history alive.

Introducing the recipients of the 2020 Governor General’s History Awards.

They are the storytellers of history — enthralling and engaging Canadians everywhere as they explore our country’s past.

From teachers, authors, and scholars to curators, community volunteers, and more, these history champions bring context and clarity to the past and inspire us all to learn more about Canada and its many peoples.

Canada’s History Society is proud to introduce the 2020 recipients of the Governor General’s History Awards — an annual recognition of the achievements of individuals and organizations that make our past relevant, empowering, and accessible.

“All across Canada, the laureates work every day to empower students, connect with communities, and tell stories of the past — inspiring and engaging us with their passion for history. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all of the 2020 recipients,” said Janet Walker, President & CEO of Canada’s History Society.

The Governor General’s History Awards are administered by Canada’s History Society and recognize excellence in five categories: Community Programming, Museums, Popular Media, Scholarly Research, and Teaching.

The awards are Canada’s top history honours and involve the leading agencies of Canada’s history and heritage community. Each award category is administered by the presenting organization and has its own jury, selection process, and prize structure.

To learn more about the Governor General’s History Awards, please visit CanadasHistory.ca/Awards.

With their award-winning projects, the recipients of the 2020 Governor General’s History Awards explored a wide and diverse range of history topics — from the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, to skateboard art as a means of fostering Indigenous reconciliation, to stories of the lives of new Canadians displaced by violence and oppression.