PROGRAMS COLLEGE OF FELLOWS NOMINATIONS The Fellows Committee met twice in 2019 to steward Any Fellow can submit a Fellowship nomination. Please The Nominating Committee met on Oct. 9, 2019, and the increased frequency of public events AWARDS the nomination process for new Fellows. This year, the visit rcgs.org/fellows for more information on how to to review the Board positions that are to be filled were all recognized for their roles in the new Society has welcomed 133 new nominations for the nominate someone in 2020. at the Annual General Meeting, including those domestic and international status of the Society. To recognize outstanding achievement in the fields of exploration, geography, education and science, the College of Fellows. of the President and two Governors. Nominations for Governor were assessed with a Society presented the following awards to deserving individuals that made an impact in 2019. To learn more view to meeting these needs. about each award, recipient, or how to nominate someone in 2020, please visit rcgs.org/awards. The recommendations of the Committee will be ANNUAL ADVANCEMENT presented to the College of Fellows for election As we celebrate our 90th Anniversary, the at the Annual General Meeting in Ottawa on Nominating Committee is sensitive to the RT. HON. VINCENT MASSEY MEDAL SIR CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE The RCGS is buoyed by the support of its community with an eye to improving donors’ experiences with the Nov. 20, 2019. impending 100th anniversary of the founding MEDAL FOR EXPLORATION Awarded to Derek Ford, geomorphologist. and their generous gifts to the Society. Individual organization. of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society REPORT Awarded to Charles “Chas” Yonge, 2018-19 donations by Fellows, Can Geo subscribers and The Committee reviewed the current status of and to the fact that the Board of Governors speleologist. In 2019, our priorities have remained focused on other Canadians with a deep love of their country business operations and heightened profile of will need to increase its work during the overseeing the RCGS fundraising strategy and GOLD MEDAL financially support and validate the important work of the Society, noting the dramatic growth over the next decade to prepare for this auspicious MARTIN BERGMANN MEDAL development operations, particularly on raising critical Awarded to Richard Boudreault, environ- FOR EXCELLENCE IN ARCTIC the Society. The Advancement Committee is pleased last year in both fundraising and public visibility. anniversary. Over the past year, work was core funding for priority programs. As the Society mental engineer; Jennifer Baichwal, film- LEADERSHIP AND SCIENCE to report a fifth year of growth in fundraising, with The Committee also discussed the increasing undertaken to develop a list of skills, executive continues to grow, the Advancement Committee is maker; Edward Burtynsky, photographer; Awarded to Wayne Pollard, geocryologist. more than $1.4M received by the end of fiscal 2018. need for Governors to possess the appropriate capacities and experience suited to ensuring also constantly planning for the future, gathering and The Right Honourable Joe Clark, former The committee has worked diligently to build new skills to support and oversee the larger role that the success of the Society. A list of potential shaping new ideas that will help ensure the ongoing Prime Minister; The Right Honourable CAPT. JOSEPH-ELZÉAR processes and professionalize systems in line with the RCGS is rapidly assuming in Canadian life. nominees was drawn up from individuals who BERNIER MEDAL financial stability of the RCGS. Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor the Society’s ongoing Imagine Canada application, The impact of the new Society headquarters have clearly demonstrated their commitment Awarded to Elizabeth Campbell, photo­ General; Nicolas de Pencier, filmmaker; at 50 Sussex Drive, the importance of the to the Society and who have the requisite grammetrist; and James Fordyce, lawyer. Andrew Feustel, astronaut; Jane Goodall, Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada and many abilities and experience to advance its mission. primatologist; The Right Honourable POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE new projects being undertaken by the Society, David Johnston, former Governor LOUIE KAMOOKAK MEDAL General; Harrison Schmitt, astronaut; and Awarded to Ron DiFrancesco, executive Under the leadership of the Board of Governors to be accredited. These criteria are grouped under Michael Ulica, president of the National client manager; George Jacob, museum and through the support of the Policy and Planning five separate categories: Board Governance, Financial Geographic Society. chief executive officer;Jessie Jean Isberg, Committee, the RCGS continues to deliver on essential Accountability, Fundraising, Staff Management and HONORARY OFFICERS musician; Lorie Karnath, explorer; Genesis milestones and outcomes aligned with the Strategic Volunteer Involvement. PATRON HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS P-Orridge, artist and musician; Andrew Plan 2015-2020. These are guided by the Society’s By the January 2020 meeting of the Board of Governors, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette Roberta Bondar, O.C., O.Ont. CHARLES CAMSELL MEDAL Pritchard, RCGS counsel; and Prince appreciation of the value of exploration, education the Committee expects that the first three sections C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.Q., C.D. Pierre Camu, O.C. Awarded to Beth Dye, former governor, Ermias Sahle Selassie of Ethiopia. and environmental awareness, and reflect its ambition (Board Governance, Financial Accountability and Governor General of Canada Arthur E. Collin and Joseph Frey, secretary, for their service to continuously expand its capacity for connecting ALEX TREBEK MEDAL FOR Fundraising, accounting for 51 of the 73 criteria) will Wade Davis, C.M. to the Society. Canadians and the world with Canada’s geography. VICE-PATRONS GEOGRAPHIC LITERACY be complete. The Committee will engage a third party Gisèle Jacob The Honourable Nellie T. Kusugak, O.Nu. Awarded to Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy!, As a fundamental part of this process, the RCGS consultant with expertise in human resources issues Joseph MacInnis, C.M., O.Ont. Sir Christopher Ondaatje, O.C., C.B.E. and Andrew Young, educator. continues to work toward accreditation through Imagine in the non-profit sector to assist with the final two Denis A. St-Onge, O.C. LAWRENCE J. BURPEE MEDAL The Right Hon. John N. Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. Canada’s Standards Program. As mandated by the Board sections (Staff Management and Volunteer Involvement, Awarded to Anne Innis Dagg, zoologist; EXPLORERS-IN-RESIDENCE INNOVATION IN GEOGRAPHY of Governors, the Policy and Planning Committee has representing the remaining 22 criteria). The Committee’s Brian May, astrophysicist and musician; TEACHING AWARD HONORARY PRESIDENT Jill Heinerth, Johnny Issaluk, George Kourounis, been monitoring and providing direction for the work goal is to submit the Society’s application to Imagine and Richard Wiese, explorer. Awarded to Mary Ellen Gucciardi, educator. Alex Trebek, O.C. Mylène Paquette, Adam Shoalts, Ray Zahab PRESIDENT’S LETTER being done to meet the 73 criteria that must be satisfied Canada prior to the 2020 Annual General Meeting. “This is the most important moment in The Royal This year, the Society was also instrumental in Canadian Geographical Society’s 90 year history,” a number of landmark expeditions. Expedition BOARD OF GOVERNORS proclaimed CEO John Geiger at the official committee chair John Pollack was part of the opening of our new home at 50 Sussex Drive, team that announced in late 2018 the discovery PRESIDENT COUNSEL Ottawa, on May 13. I couldn’t agree more. of a previously unknown massive cave (its Gavin Fitch, Q.C., Calgary Andrew Pritchard, Ottawa entrance measures 100 metres by 60 metres) VICE-PRESIDENTS GOVERNORS The event, attended by Prime Minister Justin in British Columbia’s Wells Gray Provincial Jean C. Andrey, Waterloo, Ont. Trudeau, RCGS Honorary President Alex Trebek, Wendy Cecil, C.M., Toronto Park. And in March, climbers Lonnie Dupre Connie Wyatt Anderson, The Pas, Man. Glenn Blackwood, St. John’s Honorary Vice-Presidents Roberta Bondar, and Pascale Marceau completed the first winter James Boxall, Halifax Wade Davis and Joe MacInnis, and a host of ascent of 4,860-metre Mount Wood (Canada’s SECRETARY Carl Gauthier, Ottawa other Society VIPs, was the pinnacle of another sixth-highest peak), in Yukon’s Kluane National Joseph Frey, C.D., Toronto John Hovland, Toronto spectacular year. Park, on an RCGS flagged expedition. And the Claire Kennedy, Toronto TREASURER RCGS marine ensign flew for the first time Kathryn McCain, Toronto That evening, we invested Johnny Issaluk, actor, Keith Exelby, Ottawa during the RCGS Resolute’s inaugural voyage, Inuit Games athlete, Inuit-cultural ambassador Lynn Moorman, Calgary from Costa Rica through the Panama Canal. and Nunavut-based Arctic explorer, as our newest IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT John Pollack, Bonnington, B.C. Paul Ruest, Winnipeg Paul VanZant, Amaranth, Ont. Explorer-in-Residence. And we announced that Meanwhile, the Society continued its solid FINANCIAL INFORMATION the Society’s annual Geographic Literacy Award financial performance in 2018-19. Under the RESEARCH GRANTS had been renamed the Alex Trebek Medal for strong leadership of CEO John Geiger and COO JULY 1, 2018 TO JUNE 30, 2019 SOCIETY COMMITTEES Geographic Literacy. In October, Trebek himself Gilles Gagnier, the RCGS achieved considerable The Research Grants Committee received 31 grant Kirsten Reid of Memorial University; and Nicola Full audited financial statements will be available at rcgs.org after the Annual General Meeting of the College of became its first recipient during a celebration of success in fundraising. In addition to major applications in 2019 — the most the program has Shipman of the University of Victoria. Fellows on Nov. 20, 2019. STANDING COMMITTEES the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Geographic gifts by good friends, we continued to host ever seen. In total, six students were granted funding AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCE COMMITTEE Finally, the 2019 recipient of the James Bourque Challenge, which has benefited greatly thanks to successful fundraising events outside of Ottawa, to support their research. Other Claire Kennedy (chair), Keith Exelby, Gavin Fitch, Ted Johnson, Keith Exelby (chair), Jim Carter, Allen Clarke, John Hovland, Northern Doctoral Scholarship was Caitlynn Beckett his long-standing support. in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. And with our $5,100 John Pollack, Andrew Pritchard (ex-officio) William Thompson The 2019 recipient of the James Maxwell Human of Memorial University. Beckett was also the recipient headquarters at 50 Sussex now fully operational, CGE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NOMINATING COMMITTEE We also recognized other luminaries with Society Geography Scholarship was Miranda Monosky of of the Anthony Harrison Memorial Grant, which made RCGS/NGS the Society’s meetings and events rental business Keith Exelby (chair), Bruce Amos, Jean Andrey, Wendy Cecil (chair), Brian Hodgson, Lynn Moorman, medals, including Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Memorial University. it possible for her to travel to Ottawa and speak at Canadian Geography Andrew Binkley, Kevin Fitzgerald, Alison George, André Préfontaine is growing strong. $114,204 John Hovland, Nicolas Jimenez, Carman Joynt, Paul Taillon Governor General of Canada (Gold Medal), George this year’s RCGS Annual General Meeting about her POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE Additionally, the Society awarded four students with Custom Publishing Jacob, president and CEO of San Francisco’s Bay On behalf of the Board of Governors, research on extractive industries in Northern Canada. 50 Sussex Drive Inc. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE John Hovland (chair), James Boxall, Wendy Cecil, graduate grants: Abigail Dalton of the University of $4,788,039 Gavin Fitch (chair), Wendy Cecil, Keith Exelby, Joseph Frey, Keith Exelby, Gavin Fitch, Joseph Frey, Claire Kennedy, Ecotarium (Louie Kamookak Medal), Brian May, I congratulate John, Gilles and the Events Revenue Ottawa; Maeva Gauthier of the University of Victoria; For more information, please visit rcgs.org/research. Connie Wyatt Anderson Helen Kerfoot, Kathryn McCain, John Pollack, Paul VanZant lead guitarist of Queen, astrophysics PhD and RCGS staff for another excellent year. $292,099 author (Lawrence J. Burpee Medal), Jane Goodall, FELLOWS COMMITTEE Joseph Frey (chair), Antoine C. Normandin, John Pollack, legendary primatologist (Gold Medal) and Anne Gavin Fitch Fundraising Events Lisa Tomas, Paul VanZant Innis Dagg, groundbreaking zoologist and author President $405,089 REVENUE (Lawrence J. Burpee Medal). EXPEDITIONS $9,889,258 OTHER COMMITTEES Of the 21 expedition applications received this year, the Expeditions Committee opted to support the following: Donations ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE Kathryn McCain (chair), Wendy Cecil, Anthony Hendrie, Claire Kennedy (chair), Gavin Fitch (ex-officio), $1,461,724 CEO’S LETTER f Expedition of the Year went to The Complete f The Women’s Expedition Grant went to Between Steve Thomas, Janis Peleshok Andrew Pritchard (ex-officio) Columbias Traverse, which skied 700 kilometres Sunsets: A Woman’s Solo Venture Across Canada, AWARDS COMMITTEE EXPEDITIONS COMMITTEE As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of The Royal the community Re:location initiative, and the across the spine of the Columbia Mountains which saw Melanie Vogel trek from the Atlantic to Helen Kerfoot (chair), Glenn Blackwood, Dianne Draper, John Pollack (chair), Jean Marie Beaulieu, Lisel Currie, Alison Gill, Phil Howarth, John Iacozza, Brenda Macdougall, Jill Heinerth, Priidu Juurand, TA Loeffler, Zac Robinson, Canadian Geographical Society, it is fair to say we second year of our Great Trail Treasure Hunt, which the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean on The Great Trail f explored and recorded cave features of Chris McCreery, Wayne Pollard Michael Schmidt have never been stronger, and that the Society’s has now encouraged thousands of Canadians to Jawdrop Magazine the alpine karst landscape of the Badshot Range f The Indigenous Expedition Grant went to CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION RESEARCH GRANTS COMMITTEE impact has never been felt more widely and more get out and explore the nation’s landscapes. $2,823,003 in B.C.’s West Kootenays, including Jawdrop Nanikana, le chemin de mes ancêtres, during Paul VanZant (chair), Catherine Boisvert, Kelly Choy, James Boxall (chair), Janis Dale, Christine Duverger-Harrison, profoundly by Canadians. Ewan Geddes, Andrew Kitchen, Anne Mansfield, Alison Gill, Greg Halseth, Peter Lafleur, Sarah de Leeuw, Our National Magazine Award-winning which a duo sailed the waters of the Harricana New Media/Internet f Boreal to Barren Land: Traversing Labrador Lise Martin-Keilty, Kelley McClinchey, Don McLaughlin, Pat Maher, Denis St-Onge, Robert Summerby-Murray In a year that marked the official opening publication, Canadian Geographic, is now the River to retrace the route of their ancestors $142,672 Lynn Moorman, Janet Ruest, John Thompson travelled 840 kilometres over 35 days through of 50 Sussex Drive as Canada’s Centre second most-read in Canada, our Can Geo Talks Labrador and Quebec, via five rivers f Blending modern alpine big-wall climbing and Programs for Geography and Exploration, the RCGS are filling the Alex Trebek Theatre and venues adventurous whitewater paddling, the $254,444 simultaneously enjoyed an explosion in across Canada, and RCGS-funded researchers Baffin RCGS & CGE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF f Led by Fellow Jacqueline Windh, The Secret Coast ascended mounts Thor membership in Canadian Geographic Education, and explorers are in the field, making discoveries, Paddle/Climb Expedition traversed Vancouver Island’s remote outer coast and Asgard in Auyuittuk National Park, Nunavut 50 Sussex Drive Inc. chief executive officer and president vice-president, finance and administration which grew to 23,000 educator members and conducting science and establishing records. on foot and by kayak Expenses Custom Publishing John Geiger Catherine Frame introduced numerous new geographic learning This year also saw Johnny Issaluk appointed f Lucania — A Frigid First ... Take Two was the $303,948 $3,234,912 chief operating officer and publisher chief executive officer emeritus tools, such as “Exploring Earth,” an initiative led Explorer-in-Residence, bringing the program to six f On the solo expedition Project NWP, René Ritter successful first winter ascent of Mt. Lucania, by astronaut David Saint-Jacques, and cutting- explorers dedicated to fostering knowledge about retraced a section of the Northwest Passage 50 Sussex Drive Inc. Gilles Gagnier André Préfontaine Canada’s third tallest peak Event Expenses edge augmented reality learning resources Canada’s physical and human geography. editor-in-chief Aaron Kylie senior director, operations Nathalie Cuerrier $310,019 developed with The Anthropocene Project. Additionally, the Society used a private gift to support three additional expeditions: managing editor Nick Walker new media manager Paul Politis In mid-May, our critical mission and impact was associate editor logistics coordinator Fundraising Events EXPENSES Michela Rosano Emma Viel The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, published recognized by global geographic literacy leader digital editor Alexandra Pope project coordinators Keegan Hoban, Danica Mohns f The Society’s Honorary Vice-President Roberta Map: Phase II saw RCGS Explorer-in-Residence $349,737 * in 2018, continued to have a great impact in Princess Anne, when the Princess Royal joined $10,104,532 social media editor Kiley Bell event coordinator Stacy Galasso Bondar completed another wing of her Avian Adam Shoalts searching for Hubert Darrell, an special projects editor Tanya Kirnishni 2019, too — most notably in January, when the the Fellowship. Migration Aerial Surface Space expedition, which explorer who went missing in the Arctic in 1910 Fundraising translation Géraldine Green national director of development Sarah Legault Alberta government purchased 1,600 copies to be studied the migration patterns of endangered $417,597 director of reconciliation Charlene Bearhead We have so much to celebrate. And we are very f Fellows Matthew Ayre and Michael Moloney director, brand and creative Javier Frutos distributed to schools throughout the province. birds in two wildlife reserves in Texas director of education Ellen Curtis thankful to our volunteers, led by Board President completed Return to Nova Zembla, during which Rent and Occupancy cartographer Chris Brackley In furthering the Society’s strong relationships graphic designers Kathryn Barqueiro, Christy Hutton manager, education programs Sara Black with Indigenous Peoples, we have since Gavin Fitch and our dedicated Governors, our f Using original research and historical and the team revisited the wreck of the Scottish $662,485 Magazine education program coordinators launched Paths to Reconciliation. This project donors and all those who continue to support archeological investigations, Vanished Beyond the whaling vessel, Nova Zembla $2,891,616 account manager Lisa Duncan Brown Andrea Buchholz, Michelle Chaput with the Orange Shirt Society will see us further us on this vital journey. After 90 years, it is fair Administration director, strategic partnerships Tim Joyce manager, rcgs programs Kendra Stieler The expeditions program provided assistance to no less than 14 major Canadian paddling, climbing, caving support nationwide awareness of the impacts of to conclude that the Society is poised to achieve $1,537,102 director, development and partnerships Jason Muscant and trekking expeditions, and thanks to the renewal of its partnership with Mountain Equipment Co-op, manager, editorial and travel partnerships Andrew Lovesey communications manager Deborah Chapman residential schools. even greater things. expedition teams were provided with MEC gear for their journeys. The Society looks forward to the next round accounting manager Bhavisha Pankhania archivist Wendy Simpson-Lewis John Geiger Other significant partner projects include our of applications in early January 2020. For more information on our expeditions program and the expeditions OPERATING RESULTS $(215,274) accounts payable/accounts receivable clerk Lydia Blackman Chief Executive Officer photographers-in-residence 10,000 Changes plastic waste reduction campaign, noted here, please visit rcgs.org/expeditions. Scott Forsyth, Daisy Gilardini, Michelle Valberg * This amount is inclusive of $216,000 in-kind rent the National Capital Commission executive assistant to the ceo Sandra Smith administrative assistant Darlene Pelletier must charge on a monthly basis — however, this will be offset in future fiscals. contributing photographer Ben Powless FROM LEFT: ANDREW LESSARD/CAN GEO; TOM SANDLER/CAN GEO; LINDSAY RALPH/CAN GEO; BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO; ANDREW LESSARD/CAN GEO. BACKGROUND: CHRIS BRACKLEY/CAN GEO To get a clear picture of the cash performance, reduce total expenses by the in-kind amount. CUSTOM PUBLISHING PROJECTS CANADA’S COOLEST SCHOOL TRIP SHOW US YOUR CANADA PARTNER: PARKS CANADA PHOTO CONTEST The September/October 2019 issue of Can Geo PARTNER: INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND featured a story on Canada’s Coolest School Trip, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA (ISED) which saw the winning grades 5, 6 and 7 class from From May to August 2018, Can Geo held a photo Teslin, Yukon, go on a trip to Manitoba in June contest dedicated to the Canada-China Year of 2019. The Canada’s Coolest School Trip contest has Tourism. The contest called on Canadians to been extended for an additional two years. show the love they have for their country through CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC ENTERPRISES beautiful and compelling photography. Winners ENERGY IQ were promoted in Can Geo and a special souvenir Since its launch in June 2018, the Indigenous Peoples 10,000 Changes, Canada’s commitment to rethink PARTNER: CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF booklet was produced. Atlas of Canada has been a bestseller, with more than plastics, was launched this past year as well. A PETROLEUM PRODUCERS (CAPP) 18,000 sets of books sold. As of October 27, 2019, partnership with Environment and Climate Change 20 Giant Floor Maps continued circulating to SPANISH FLU – UNMASKING INFLUENZA it is still listed on Amazon as the third-best seller in Canada and the Recycling Council of Ontario, this schools across Canada. Additional explainer videos PARTNER: SOUND VENTURE education and reference. forward-looking program uses websites, infographics were added to the Energy IQ library, and an Atlantic On the centenary of the 1918 Spanish Flu, Can and video as well as a pledge dashboard to encourage Canada fact book was developed and printed. In July Geo delivered a timely commemorative project This past year was our best ever in terms of custom Canadians to reduce their reliance on plastics. 2019, we held a Responsible Energy Development that examines the lasting impact of the world’s publishing revenues and was also a fantastic year for Summer Institute which brought together 15 deadliest flu pandemic in Canada, and reveals fulfilling the mandate of the RCGS through this work. Recognizing the importance of travel to our brand, we educators from across the country to one of the whether or not we are prepared for another Notable projects include the following: will not only continue to deliver quality travel content busiest energy centres in Canada — Fort McMurray, potential pandemic. Some of the main assets through our website and social media channels, but Alta. — to learn about Canada’s energy mix and included a feature article in the September/ Re:location is a two-year project that examines relocated will now feature a special Can Geo Travel section in how the country is responsibly developing its oil October 2018 issue of Can Geo, a special Can communities in Canada, the challenges faced by two extended Can Geo issues every year. sands resources. Geo-led discussion on the Spanish Flu with communities that are forced to move as well as the Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa long-term ramifications of such relocations. This project After many years at #3, Can Geo has officially become CLASSROOM ENERGY DIET CHALLENGE Tam, and author/historian Esyllt Jones (held at includes four half-hour documentaries, a Giant Floor the second-most-read magazine in Canada. With PARTNER: SHELL CANADA 50 Sussex and broadcast by CPAC), a Giant Floor Map, an article in the magazine and a dedicated website. a combined audience of 4.1 million readers and In its eighth year, the Classroom Energy Diet Map and curriculum-based learning resources, viewers per month, we are pleased with our place in Challenge saw participation increase to 1,374 and a major Spanish Flu Exhibit, which premiered The Anthropocene education program is a partnership the Canadian media landscape, but we continue to classrooms across Canada and the completion of with the makers of the film Anthropocene: The Human at the 2018 Canadian Immunization Conference prioritize online growth and will not rest on our laurels. 2,054 challenges. The program has been renewed in December. Epoch by Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Baichwal and We redesigned the Can Geo Photo Club this past year, for one additional year. Nicholas de Pencier. For this project, we are creating and Canadian Geographic Education’s website will be CANADA AND THE 49TH PARALLEL augmented and virtual reality kits (based on the content the next to be redone with the remainder of our online GIANT FLOOR MAP PARTNER: DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE of the film) which will tour schools for three years. This is properties to follow. PARTNER: POLAR KNOWLEDGE CANADA Can Geo commemorated the 200th anniversary a truly cutting-edge program we can all be very proud of. Two Giant Floor Maps and three Classroom-sized of the 49th Parallel by creating engaging learning Floor Maps continued circulating to schools across resources across its print, social media and digital Canada. We have expanded our outreach to teachers streams. It was anchored by a special feature STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS in the North with the development of a how-to-use article and quiz in the September/October 2018 the floor maps video and are working on a program issue of Can Geo, which was further supported The Society continues to seek and enhance strategic but also foster new and exciting opportunities for the to demonstrate how modern science can work with by a special pull-out map showcasing the border partnerships with organizations that share its values Society to expand on its ability to connect Canadians traditional knowledge in the north to create a map in detail, its history and many other interesting and commitment to making Canada better known to with their geographical heritage. which documents this information. aspects of the boundary. Along with this Canadians and to the world. promotion in the magazine, an engaging video In addition to these key partnerships, the RCGS IDRC BLOG To that end, the RCGS worked closely with One Ocean continues to work collaboratively with a number of PARTNER: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT and additional printed resources for Canadian Expeditions, Nikon Canada, MEC, VIA Rail, Air Canada, important partners, without whom we could not move RESEARCH CENTRE Geographic Education’s cross-Canada teacher Canadian North, Desert Hills Estate Winery and others forward on many of our most impactful projects. In This was the third year during which Canadian network were also created. to help deliver its core programming. this regard, we are particularly proud to acknowledge Geographic produced a series of 12 blogs EXPLORING EARTH the Department of Environment and Climate highlighting the valuable work IDRC is doing to The Society has also established new memorandums PARTNERS: INGENIUM, THE ROBERTA BONDAR Change Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, help communities across the globe, as well as FOUNDATION, WESTERN UNIVERSITY of understanding with a host of other organizations, International Development Research Centre, Canada accompanying learning activities. The partnership including the Canadian Canoe Museum, Historica Exploring Earth is an online learning platform Post, Polar Knowledge Canada, Shell Canada, CAPP, included an annual summary digest distributed designed to teach K-12 students the science Canada, the Eccles Centre for American Studies, the CPAC, RBC, Ingenium, Google, Roots Canada, Trans with the November/December issue of Can Geo. Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian Mountain behind how the Earth works using photos taken Canada Trail, Recycling Council of Ontario and the by David Saint-Jacques during his 2018-19 Network, among others. These partnerships not only INDIGENOUS PEOPLES National Geographic Society. mission on the International Space Station. Saint- support the RCGS in its delivery of key programming, ATLAS OF CANADA PARTNER: CANADIAN HERITAGE (CANADA 150) Jacques’ photos are paired with educational Working with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit blogs, national science and geography curriculum TRAVEL PARTNERSHIPS Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, expectations, hands-on learning activities and Indspire and the National Centre for Truth and supporting resources. The bilingual content, Over the past year, the Society has continued to nurture resource people. The Society also renegotiated its Reconciliation, we created an unprecedented legacy which is available free to teachers and accessed its relationships in the travel sector by extending old term with Maple Leaf Adventures to extend the work. Over the past year, we completed work on via an interactive world map, highlights the agreements and developing new ones. partnership for another five years, doubling both English and French atlases in print and online, complementarity of Earth observation from revenue and trip offerings for each calendar year. teacher guides for distribution to our education space and ground-level geographic data for In 2019, the RCGS launched a partnership with Arctic Kingdom offers the Society increased revenue network, Giant Floor Maps, tiled maps, synthetic learning more about the planet and its natural Exodus Travels, introducing eight international potential from the two co-branded trips running in maps, a poster map, an app, dedicated issues of and human systems. trips featuring Fellows and Can Geo staff as special 2020 with RCGS Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth. Canadian Geographic and Géographica magazines. ROUTE 338: MAPPING DEMOCRACY 3M INFOGRAPHICS PARTNER: CABLE PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHANNEL (CPAC) CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION PARTNER: 3M CANADA Five Giant Floor Maps and an accompanying suite of learning activities encouraging students PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 3M provided funding to create infographics Canadian Geographic Education now has a to learn about democracy in Canada continued This year, Can Geo Education both hosted and attended featuring innovative technology in the Discovery membership of 23,000 educators across the country circulating among schools across the country. numerous education workshops. With the continued section of each issue of Can Geo. An educational as of Nov. 2019, and continues to grow. Can Geo 4,READERS080,000/ VIEWERS PER MONTH A photo contest highlighting the democratic support of the R. Howard Webster Foundation, VIVIDATA, FALL 2019, 12+ activity was created to accompany each infographic Education continues to build on its reputation as process and electoral ridings in Canada 14 educators from across Canada travelled to Ottawa to and increase dissemination. a national bilingual organization that creates and was completed and published in the provides valuable, innovative geographical resources. learn about integrating technology in a three-day summer THE GREAT TRAIL TREASURE HUNT July/August 2018 issue. institute at 50 Sussex, and 10 educators learned about PARTNER: TRANS CANADA TRAIL CAN GEO CHALLENGE sustainable energy development in Fort McMurray, Alta. In celebration of the one-year anniversary of CANADA FROM SPACE The 24th year of the Canadian Geographic Challenge Additionally, seven one-day workshops — supported by the unification of The Great Trail, Can Geo and PARTNERS: CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY concluded in May with the National Final, held both Google and the National Geographic Society — the Trans Canada Trail created The Great Trail AND INGENIUM at 50 Sussex. Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth hosted were offered to teachers as a means of enhancing their Canada from Space Treasure Hunt. Through this national treasure This year, five Giant Floor Maps the final five competitors in a gruelling battle, with David understanding of the Geographic Inquiry process. continued to tour schools across Canada. Three Landry of Ottawa, then in Grade 10, coming out on hunt, Canadians in every province and territory are encouraged to seek out treasure boxes hidden additional Giant Floor Maps have visited all schools top. Our top five finalists were awarded the One Ocean STUDENT PROGRAMMING in Nunatsiavut and Nunavik. They will continue to Expeditions’ Fins and Fiddles trip in July 2019, which 2018-19 was a big year in the development of on-site along The Great Trail and post pictures of their finds on social media, making them eligible for visit schools in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories allowed them to expand their geographic knowledge student programming at 50 Sussex: a number of and Yukon this coming year. while exploring some of Canada’s most breathtaking experiences were offered to students in grades 5 incredible prizes. East Coast scenery. to 12. Programming, which ranged from sustainability and the environment to Indigenous knowledge and This year, Can Geo Education integrated the traditional ways of knowing, truly demonstrated to International Geography Olympiad into the Challenge students the diversity and excitement of geography as its new Level 3, open to students aged 16 to 19. and inspired them to be explorers in their own Following the success of Team Canada at the iGeo right. Continued work with local school boards and SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACT in Quebec City in 2018, ​Jerry Sun, Andrew Ding, Jake educational organizations will allow further growth in Douglas and Ben Woodward travelled to Hong Kong this space as best practices are established. CanGeo @cangeo The Royal Canadian Geographical Society in July 2019 — and did not disappoint. By winning CanGeoTravel @cangeotravel 50 Sussex Drive two gold medals and one silver, these tenacious RESOURCES Ottawa, Ontario K1M 2K1 young geographers proved, once again, that Canada is In addition to the continuing development of Can Geo CanGeoEdu @cangeoeducation a geographic powerhouse. In the coming school year, in the Classroom and the IDRC workbooks, Can Geo RCGS.SGRC @rcgs_sgrc 613-745-4629 | fax: 613-744-0947 the next Team Canada will be selected to compete in Education continues to grow the Giant Floor Map and the 2020 iGeo in Turkey. printable tiled map programs. [email protected] @CanGeo canadiangeographic rcgs.org | cangeo.ca @CanGeo_Travel @CanGeoEdu @RCGS_SGRC

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST ROW: TANYA KIRNISHNI/CAN GEO; BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO. SECOND ROW: COURTESY OF JILL HEINERTH; TANYA KIRNISHNI/CAN GEO; COURTESY OF BRITTANY GAWLEY. THIRD ROW: BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO; BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO; COURTESY OF PAUL VANZANT. FOURTH ROW: TANYA KIRNISHNI/CAN GEO; PAINTING BY CHRIS CRAN; TANYA KIRNISHNI/CAN GEO. BOTTOM ROW: BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO; BEN POWLESS/CAN GEO; ABTIN KARGARI/CAN GEO. BACKGROUND IMAGE: MICHELLE VALBERG/CAN GEO