Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 10, 2008
• Invested on: October 10, 2008

A writer of courage and conviction, George Elliott Clarke has reclaimed the voices of his ancestors and introduced their stories into contemporary Canadian literature. As a poet, novelist and scholar, he relates the cultural and historical experiences of African-Nova Scotians with provocative, lyrical and rich language. Also a professor at the University of Toronto, he has been instrumental in establishing African-Canadian literature as a field of study. His profound connection to Nova Scotia extends to his volunteer work with local schools, where he is influencing and mentoring the next generation of writers.