Celebrating History at Trent University
The Battle of Vimy Ridge with Historian Tim Cook
High school students from Peterborough and the surrounding area were welcomed to Trent on Friday, May 12 to Wenjack Theatre to celebrate History at Trent and the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a lecture lead by historian and Trent alumnus Tim Cook ’90.
The collaboration between the Department of History, Centre for Teaching and Learning, and School of Education gave high school students a truly unique opportunity to listen to Tim share his knowledge.
"High school students had the opportunity to listen to Tim Cook, the nation's top historian of Canadian soldiers in World War One, and learn about both the reality and the myth of the Battle of Vimy Ridge," said chair and History professor Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez. “We want high school students to experience the exciting world that awaits them at university!”
A historian at the Canadian War Museum, a member of the Order of Canada, a former director of Canada’s History Society, and a graduate of Trent University, Mr. Cook engaged students in discussions about Canada’s 150th anniversary as well as the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge that took place in April of 1917. Grade 7 student Hunter reflected on the event: “Dr. Cook made me think differently about Canada’s role in WWI and the importance of how we commemorate history. My class talked afterwards about what and why we choose to build monuments and that we need to think about this carefully”.
“This engaging lecture by Tim Cook brought together students and teachers from both our local school boards. Seeing these students learning together and being inspired was a wonderful example of how Trent has the capacity to unite people through education,” said Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, educational developer from the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Trent. “It was a great day that fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Canada’s role during WWI and recognizes the importance of remembrance during Canada’s 150th year. History is alive and well for our next generation of future scholars!”
Celebrating History at Trent University is what makes Trent so unique. Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabe, adjacent to Haudenosaunee Territory and in the territory covered by the Williams Treaty, celebrating the history shared with us by our Elders and honouring our local and national events such as the Battle of Vimy Ridge, creates a learning experience that is highly collaborative.