The Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, has appointed Victoria Grant, the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Chair of the Board of Directors, to the Order of Canada.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement and dedication to the community and service to the nation. Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
A proud Teme-Augama Anishinabai Kwe, Loon Clan, Victoria was appointed to the Order “for bridging the gap between Indigenous, non-Indigenous culture, business and communities through her facilitation and meditation”. Victoria accepts the Order as an Officer (O.C.), which “recognizes achievement and merit of a high degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large”.
Having stepped down as Chair of the Community Foundations of Canada, just prior to the country’s sesquicentennial, Victoria came into to the Canadian Canoe Museum family through the National Council in 2017. She went on to join the Museum’s Board in 2018, becoming the Chair of the Board of Directors just two years later, in 2020.
“I cannot think of anyone who deserves this high recognition as much as Victoria; her contribution to this country has been immeasurable; the museum is so proud and fortunate to have her leadership and knowledge. She has been such a valuable asset to us, especially during those turbulent pandemic times, as we continued to forge ahead with our plans to create our new home in the community” says Carolyn Hyslop, the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Executive Director, adding “the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, congratulate Victoria on this tremendous honour.
Victoria has a wealth of experience in organizational governance and administration, having served in her home community of Bear Island as Coordinator of the Noojimawin Health Authority, Manager and Assistant Negotiator of the N’Dakimenan Land Claim process, as well as serving as the Interim Band Manager of Temagami First Nation.
With the ambition to identify, sustain, and further the essential character of the community, Victoria co-founded the Temagami Community Foundation in 2000. Then, during the pandemic, she was instrumental in the creation of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund; both have raised and disbursed millions of dollars through resiliency grants.
In addition to her commitments to family, community and her private practice in facilitation and negotiation (under the proprietorship banner of “Moving Red Canoe”…maybe she knew she was destined for the Canadian Canoe Museum), Victoria has served on numerous boards, including being a member of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Vice-Chair of the Ontario Health Quality Council, Chair of the Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, Director of the Counselling Foundation of Canada and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
About the Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is one of our Country’s highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (“The desire a better country”). Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada.
About the Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM)
With a world-class collection as a catalyst, the Canadian Canoe Museum inspires connection, curiosity and new understanding. In partnership with individuals, groups and communities – locally, provincially and nationally – we work to experience and explore all that our collection can inspire. This sees students opening their minds in our galleries; community members connecting through artisanry; people of all ages getting on the water and learning to paddle; and exhibitions and events that spark conversation and collaboration.
About the New Museum
The Canadian Canoe Museum is building a new home for its world-class collection along the water’s edge in Peterborough, ON. The new museum will be located on a five-acre site in Peterborough, ON that will provide stunning west-facing views of Little Lake, a connection to the Trans Canada Trail, and is surrounded by public parks. It will become a vibrant community space for outdoor activities and the Museum’s canoeing and outdoor programs and events.
The Canadian Canoe Museum has a unique opportunity to create a new cultural destination that will inspire visitors to learn about Canada’s collective history and reinforce our connections to land, water and one another – all through the unique lens of the iconic canoe. Learn more at canoemuseum.ca/new-museum.
