Inaugural Presentation Ceremony of the Polar Medal

The Governor General is accompanied by the first 10 recipients of the Polar Medal.

The Honourable George Tuccaro, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, also delivered remarks.

The Honourable Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak, Commissioner of Nunavut, spoke during the ceremony.

The Governor General presided over the inaugural presentation ceremony of the newly created Polar Medal at the MacBride Museum of Yukon History in Whitehorse, Yukon.

"We’re gathered here to recognize some extraordinary individuals who’ve contributed to our northern communities and to our understanding of the polar regions," said His Excellency. "This is important because, fundamentally, Canada is a northern nation, stretching from sea to sea to sea. This vast part of our country, including the Canadian Arctic, is integral to our identity, our sovereignty, our global environment. It’s part of who we are."

The Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners, who attended the ceremony, also joined in for the group photo.

A researcher with the Centre for Northern Studies and a professor of geography at Université Laval since 1975, Michel Allard (Québec, Quebec) has contributed significantly to research projects exploring the impact of melting permafrost on the natural environment and infrastructures in Nunavik and Nunavut. His research has also examined the vulnerability of Nunavut’s Inuit communities to global warming, as well as the development of adaptive strategies.

Second Lieutenant Dorothy Tootoo (Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) is the officer responsible for sustaining the cadet program in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to the program, she has enlisted the support of Elders within the community to establish a mentoring program. In addition, as the residence manager at Arctic College, she seeks out every opportunity to help students persist in their studies and achieve their goals.

Anne Morgan (Whitehorse, Yukon) is a pillar in community recreation throughout the North. As executive director of the Recreation Parks Association of Yukon, she has significantly contributed to developing sustainable programs and services in rural and remote communities. A fervent supporter and advocate of active living, she is committed to promoting healthier lifestyles, particularly among children and youth.

A well-respected Elder, Gerald W. Kisoun (Inuvik, Northwest Territories) has worked tirelessly at strengthening the awareness and understanding of northern Canada and its peoples. As the community liaison officer in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, this dedicated community leader and active volunteer sits on a number of boards, including the Inuvialuit Harvesters Assistance Program, and acts as a liaison with local schools for science and heritage fairs.

A historian, researcher, author, editor and adjunct professor, Shelagh Grant (Peterborough, Ontario) has taught history and Canadian studies at Trent University for 17 years. Her academic research drew her to Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Baffin Island and other remote Arctic locations. As the first historian and first woman to receive the Northern Science Award, she was active on various Inuit policy advisory committees, editorial boards and northern scholarship committees.

John Geiger (Ottawa, Ontario) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society; Ryan Harris (Ottawa, Ontario) is a senior underwater archeologist with Parks Canada; Louie Kamookak (Gjao Haven, Nunavut) is an Inuit historian; and Doug Stenton (Iqaluit, Nunavut) is the Government of Nunavut’s director of Heritage. All four played essential roles in the success of the 2014 Victoria Strait Expedition. Their passion, dedication and perseverance contributed directly to the discovery of the wreck of Sir John Franklin’s HMS Erebus in September 2014—and to the resolution of one of polar exploration’s greatest enigmas. Their collective efforts have strengthened our understanding of Canada’s North and cultivated a keen, nationwide interest in discoveries yet to come.

Marianne Douglas (Whitehorse, Yukon) is recognized as one of Canada’s most experienced Arctic field scientists. She has helped promote a better understanding of northern Canada through a variety of public outreach work, sharing her expertise on scientific, economic, social and cultural issues impacting the North. In addition, she has conducted extensive research in the southern polar regions.

Part of the Canadian Honours System, the Polar Medal elevates the way we recognize individuals who contribute to northern communities and to our understanding of northern Canada and its people. It also highlights their achievements in polar exploration and scientific discoveries.