At a ceremony in Whitehorse, Yukon held on Wednesday, July 8, two distinguished Trent University alumni, Dr. Douglas Stenton ‘80 and Professor Shelagh Grant ’76, were honoured among 10 inaugural recipients of the Polar Medal, a new award presented by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, which celebrates Canada's Northern heritage and gives recognition to persons who render extraordinary services in the polar regions and Canada's North.
Dr. Stenton was honoured for his contributions to the “discovery of the century” as part of the team that discovered the underwater shipwreck of the Franklin Expedition ship HMS Erebus last year near Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. Prof. Grant was recognized for her leading role as an expert on Arctic research and her position as an esteemed Canadian Arctic scholar and award-winning author.
“At Trent University, the study of the North is at the heart of much of what we do,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent. “From the early and continued interest of our founding president, Professor Tom Symons, Trent has cultivated an environment of appreciation, respect and fascination with the North which is illustrated and celebrated today with this prestigious honour presented to two of our distinguished alumni. Heartfelt congratulations to both Dr. Stenton and Professor Grant on receiving this esteemed honour.”
Dr. Stenton received a Masters degree in anthropology from Trent and is currently the director of heritage for the Government of Nunavut. He headed up the terrestrial archaeology team which played a pivotal role in locating the wreck of HMS Erebus. His identification of two distinctive Royal Navy artifacts found by the team was significant, leading to the discovery of the submerged vessel.
Speaking of the award, Dr. Stenton said: "I am honoured to be one of the inaugural recipients of the Polar Medal, and to be among the distinguished group of individuals being recognized. Over the past 35 years, it has been a privilege to be involved in research that contributes to our knowledge of the history of Nunavut, and to our understanding of the remarkable events and human achievements spanning more than four millennia. My involvement with the Franklin Expedition project provided a unique opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled individuals dedicated to Canada’s North. It has been a genuine pleasure and an experience I will always remember as a highlight of my career.”
An historian, researcher, author, editor and adjunct professor, Prof. Grant taught history and Canadian studies at Trent University for 17 years after receiving her Bachelors and Masters degrees in history from Trent. Her academic research has brought 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. Prof. Grant is currently an adjunct professor and a research associate of the Frost Centre at Trent University.
"The award was totally unexpected, and I am deeply honoured," said Prof. Grant upon learning of the honour. “I never would have had the opportunities I did to study the North if it weren’t for the commitment of people at Trent University.”
About the Polar Medal
The Polar Medal recognizes those who have contributed to or endeavoured to promote a greater understanding of Canada's northern communities and its people. It also honours those individuals who have withstood the rigours of the polar climate to make significant contributions to polar exploration and knowledge, scientific research, and the securement of Canada's northern sovereignty. As an official honour created by the Crown, the Polar Medal is part of the Canadian Honours System. The program incorporated and replaced the Governor General’s Northern Medal, created in 2005, by then-Governor General the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson.
Posted on Thursday, July 9, 2015.