Governor General of Canada

November 14, 2008 08:19 ET

Media Advisory: Governor General Honours Six Canadian History Teachers

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2008) - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will present the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History to six teachers at Rideau Hall on Monday, November 17, 2008, at 10 a.m.

This year's award winning strategies include a two-year long effort to organize a 5100- kilometre pilgrimage from Quebec to World War II Battlefields in France; the creation of memorial pieces and personal tributes to Hong Kong and World War II veterans; a comprehensive historical documentary produced by ten-year-olds; aboriginal sharing circles to enable students to share personal reflections about the past; a re-staging of the 1927 Diamond Jubilee celebration of Confederation; and a classroom-size "history table" that encourages students to get their hands busy reliving early 1800s settlement in Canada.

During the official ceremony, the Governor General will also present the new armorial bearings of Canada's National History Society to its President and CEO Ms. Deborah Morrison.


The 2008 recipients are as follows:

Name / Place of Residence / School

- Jean-Pierre Frigon - Saint-Tite, Quebec - Ecole secondaire Paul-LeJeune

- Nancy Hamer Strahl - Port Perry, Ontario - Port Perry High School

- Joe Stafford - Belleville, Ontario - St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School

- Bev Milobar den-Ouden - Edmonton, Alberta - Colchester School

- Anne Tenning - Victoria, British Columbia - Victoria High School

- Mike Ward - Lake Cowichan, British Columbia - Palsson Elementary School

Detailed biographical information and photos of the recipients can be downloaded through the Canada's National History Society's Web site at http://www.historysociety.ca/abo.asp?subsection=new&page=pre-gga .

About the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History

The Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History were established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society. Every year, the awards recognize teachers from elementary and secondary schools who have inspired and challenged students about Canadian history, be it in the field of social studies, economics, political studies, contemporary studies or geography.