Trent Alumnus Honoured with Order of Canada
Trent University alumnus Dr. Douglas Stenton ’80 was among the 35 people to receive the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in January. He was recognized for helping preserve the cultural legacy of Canada’s North through his work as an archaeologist.
Dr. Stenton is the former director of heritage for the Government of Nunavut department of Culture and Heritage. He has directed archaeological research and training in the Eastern Canadian Arctic since 1980. His research has focused on settlement-subsistence systems of the late prehistoric (Thule) period and, most recently, on the investigation of archaeological sites associated with the 1845 Sir John Franklin Expedition.
In 2015, Dr. Stenton was honoured with the Polar Medal, an award that celebrates Canada's northern heritage and gives recognition to persons who render extraordinary services in the polar regions and Canada's north. He was honoured for his contributions to the “discovery of the century” as part of the team that found the underwater shipwreck of the HMS Erebus near Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.
“Receiving the Order of Canada is a tremendous honour,” said Dr. Stenton. “I am both humbled by and deeply appreciative of the recognition. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved over many years in the development of a broad range of legislation and policy designed to help guide the management, protection and public appreciation of Nunavut's unique culture and heritage.”
Posted on February 20, 2019