Imagine a Canada

The selected recipients of the inaugural Imagine a Canada competition gathered for a photo with the Governor General, Ms. Hughes, Mr. Arcand and Mr. Moran.

Mr. Ry Moran, Director of the NCTR at the University of Manitoba, provided closing remarks, stating that “it is deeply inspiring to see the vision, insight and power of these young peoples' words and art. Their compassion and empathy should give us all hope for a much brighter tomorrow.”

Robin Chokomolin, a post secondary student, was accompanied by her son. She spoke of her work to the audience.

Inspired by her grandmother and the Cree and Nakota people of central Alberta, Angeline Gutierrez-Rain, a grade 12 student, received congratulations for her gripping painting.

Christopher Sanford Beck, a grade 10 student from Cochin, Saskatchewan, received a certificate and a gift from the Governor General and Mr. Arcand.

Megan Benoit, a grade 10 student now living in Surrey, British Columbia, explained her art piece and her vision for what is possible for Canada.

Azumi Konaka, a grade 9 student from Vancouver, received a certificate from the Governor General recognizing her written entry.

Hailing from Vancouver Island, Madeleine Morrison, a grade 9 student, was recognized for a poem she wrote.

Drake Trudeau, a grade 6 student from Wikwemikong, was accompanied by his parents as well as his Nookmis (grandmother) who helped inspire his creation.

Nevaeh Murray, a Grade 6 student from Prince Edward Island, presented her work to the audience.

The Governor General and Mr. Arcand offered warm congratulations to Josiah Ferguson, a grade 3 student from Langley, British Columbia.

Laurick Corriveau, a grade 2 student, traveled from Carcross, Yukon, to attend the ceremony. He received a certificate from the Governor General and a gift from Mr. Arcand.

Clara Hugues, an honorary witness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, provided some remarks and introduced the selected recipients.

Eugène Arcand, a survivor of Indian Residential Schools, expressed his admiration for the recipients, explaining their power to teach and inspire us as we navigate the road of reconciliation.

The Governor General provided opening remarks. "Talking, and listening, and sharing, and dreaming together — that’s how we’ll heal, and that’s how we’ll move towards reconciliation."

Organized by the NCTR, Imagine a Canada is a national art and essay competition that asks young people, from grades 1 to the post-secondary level, to share their thoughts on what the future of Canada will look like through the lens of reconciliation.

Isaac Henson, First Nation drummer, led a procession that included the Governor General and Mr. Eugène Arcand, Indian Residential School survivor and member of the Governing Circle of the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), on the occasion of the inaugural Imagine a Canada ceremony held at Rideau Hall.