RCGS News & Events

War of 1812
The late historian Pierre Berton once wrote that the War of 1812 “gave Canadians their first sense of community.” The bicentennial of this war has given rise to a new examination of the conflict that pitted American soldiers against British armed forces and ultimately laid a foundation for Canada’s nationhood. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, in partnership with the Historica-Dominion Institute and Parks Canada, is contributing to the dialogue ... Full story »

2011 Camsell Award recipients
Two former presidents of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Gisèle Jacob and Arthur E. Collin were presented in November with the 2011 Camsell Medal for outstanding service. Jacob was the first female president of the Society, a position she held from 2004 to 2010. A number of notable developments occurred under her leadership, including the launch of The Canadian Atlas Online and the publication of Canadian Geographic Travel. The native Montrealer ... Full story »

2011 Canadian Award for Environmental Innovation
Retail savvy runs through Michel Séguin’s blood. He is an independent Canadian Tire dealer in Laval, Que., whose father Gilles once owned a Canadian Tire store. Both father and son also share a deep conviction about what retail can do to preserve the environment. Gilles founded the Environment Committee for the Association des marchands Canadian Tire du Québec in 1982; under his leadership, Canadian Tire stores started taking back used automotive ... Full story »

2011 Gold Medal - NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger
Two weeks into his nearly five-month mission aboard the Russian space station Mir in 1997, NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger wrote one of many letters to his one-year-old son John: “Together, we have a good mission, we learn more and we hopefully make life in the future a bit better for you. Anyway, that’s the hope that keeps us going, keeps us striving to do our best.” During 132 weightless days, the Michigan native and former naval flight surgeon ... Full story »

2011 Gold Medal awarded to Sir Christopher Ondaatje
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is pleased to announce that it has awarded the Gold Medal, its most prestigious award, to Sir Christopher Ondaatje in recognition of his long abiding support for geography.  Through his travels and his writing, Ondaatje has contributed to a greater understanding of the world and of the relationship between and among peoples and lands. Adventurer, author and philanthropist, Sir Christopher Ondaatje has played ... Full story »

Coining wildlife
A shiny new collector coin, designed and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, will feature an image of a praying mantis by Robert Ganz of Montréal, the grand prize winner of the Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year Contest. The collector coin is a unique facet of a partnership between The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Mint. A poster inserted in this issue of Canadian Geographic and Géographica, our French-language sister publication, ... Full story »

Horizon 2067: The Plan for Canada’s Capital
Canada’s capital must be a beacon not only for the country but for the world, said Richard Florida, a business professor and best-selling author on urban economic trends, as the National Capital Commission (NCC) and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society launched a nationwide discussion on the future of Ottawa on Sept. 27. As nations stumble through a global financial crisis, Canada’s capital should stand as a symbol of the things this country ... Full story »

Multimedia artist DJ Spooky performs with iPad, string quartet
Ottawa (Oct. 27, 2011) – What would happen if Marshall McLuhan came back to life as an iPad-toting composer and multimedia mix artist? The result would likely be a lot like Paul Miller a.k.a. DJ Spooky, who is coming to Ottawa to be inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society on Nov. 3, where astronaut Jerry Linenger and Parks Canada will also be honoured. DJ Spooky, who has performed at the Tate Modern in London, The ... Full story »

NASA Astronaut, Parks Canada among those to be honoured by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
OTTAWA (Oct. 31, 2011) – On Thursday, November 3rd, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society holds its annual College of Fellows Dinner in Ottawa at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Retired NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger, the keynote speaker, is receiving the Gold Medal for his work in furthering geographical knowledge throughout the world, and for his spirit of adventure. Captain Linenger is famous for his long-term stay on the Russian ... Full story »

40 men, women from arts, letters, sciences named as Fellows of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
OTTAWA (Nov. 1, 2011) – The Royal Canadian Geographical Society announced today 40 distinguished individuals were inducted into the College of Fellows. The College of Fellows is the voting body of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society. This body also receives and approves reports by the President, Treasurer and Auditors at the Society’s Annual General Meeting. The Fellows also elect the Officers, Governors and Fellows of the Society ... Full story »