Trent University professor emeritus Dr. John Jennings, a celebrated author, scholar and a driving force behind Peterborough’s Canadian Canoe Museum is among 22 new appointments to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour.

As an associate professor of History at Trent, Professor Jennings’ scholarship focused on the history of the Western Canadian and American frontier and in Canada's relations with the world during the twentieth century. His research and writing focus on with the early relations between the Mounted Police and Indigenous People, the ranching frontiers of Canada and the U.S., and early exploration, especially by canoe.

The canoe is considered one of Canada’s most important symbols, and a vessel from which the story of Canada can be told across centuries. Prof. John Jennings believes the canoe is the only symbol that is still truly Canadian.

"The Mounties have been given away to Hollywood and Disney. Our brand of hockey's been debased. The canoe is the closest thing we have to a national symbol," he said.

Prof. Jennings book, The Canoe: A Living Tradition is considered to be an important publication on Canada’s canoe history and culture.