2023
Diana Beresford-Kroeger
This climate change visionary brings to the table a PHD each in botany and medical biochemistry alongside Celtic understandings of the world around us. Her work to change humanity’s relationship with nature varies from creating books and documentaries to running a private arboretum to successfully co-leading the campaign to have Pimachiowin Aki, a massive area of virgin boreal forest, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage and Cultural Site.
Ruth Abernethy
Canadian sculptor known for pieces like that of Oscar Peterson, which was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. Abernethy is an active participant, through her art and otherwise, in discussions about Canadian culture like the connection between public art and who deserves legacy and recognition.
Roy MacGregor
Younger readers may know him as the author of the Screech Owls series, which revolves around hockey teammates who solve mysteries. On the nonfiction side of things, MacGregor is an author, columnist and feature writer for the Globe and Mail, having also put in the time at publications like Maclean’s and the Ottawa Citizen.
2022
Antoine Normandin
Antoine Normandin is a geographer who has been an active member of the Fellows Committee and instrumental in maintaining up-to-date information on the Fellows of the Society.
David Kajganich
An American screenwriter highlighted for his work on The Terror, a fictionalized account of Captain Sir John Franklin’s expedition of 1845-1848.
Russell Potter
Franklin expedition scholar and author of two books on the subject.
Geir Kløver
The Director of the Fram Museum in Oslo is an expert on Norwegian polar history.
Adam Shoalts
Adam Shoalts is bestselling author and Westaway Explorer-in-Residence with the RCGS.
Alanna Mitchell
A well-renowned science journalist, playwright and contributing editor to Canadian Geographic.
2021
Sylvain Voyer
Known for his rural landscape paintings, Voyer was a leading force in championing Alberta’s provincial art collection and is a founding member and the inaugural president of the Canadian Artists’ Representation.
Kathy Dembroski
Dembroski is the co-founder of Canada Blooms and a strong supporter of the Toronto Botanical Gardens and the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Gaajiiaawa Linda Tollas
Gaajiiaawa Linda Tollas of Haida Gwaii is renowned as a seeker and sharer of ancestral knowledge, an educator on Haida culture and an interpreter.
Gurdeep Pandher
With a smile as infectious as his Bhangra dance moves, Pandher brings joy, hope and healing to newsfeeds across Canada and beyond. He was recognized for the national impact he has had by bridging cross-cultural divides, promoting inclusivity and spreading optimism and joy during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell is a steadfast supporter and a valued Fellow.
Nellie Taptaqut Kusugak
Nellie Kusugak was commended for her extensive contribution to Canadian Education. She is a Canadian educator who served as Commissioner of Nunavut from 2015 to 2020, having served as Deputy Commissioner of Nunavut for five years beforehand.
2019
George Jacob
George Jacob is an author, museum designer, environmentalist and cultural thought leader.
Ron Difrancesco
Difrancesco’s experience as the last survivor out of the Twin Towers on September 11th was shared in John Geiger’s book, “The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible.”
Cecil Paul (presented in 2020)
This Haida Elder, activist and storyteller is known for his efforts to fully protect the Kitlope, on the Pacific Coast, from logging and other extractive industries.
Jessie Jean Isberg
Isberg’s specialty is as a singer-songwriter: her album talk to me can be found on Bandcamp.
Lorie Karnath
Served as the 37th president of the Explorers Club and co-founder of the Explorers Museum.
Genesis Beyer P-Orridge
This nonbinary poet, artist and occultist was cited as an icon within the avant-garde art scene.
Andrew Pritchard
Pritchard was steadfast in his role as RCGS Counsel.
HIH Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie of Ethiopia
His Imperial Highness received the Kamookak medal for his family’s efforts to strengthen Ethiopian-Canadian relations.
Michelle Valberg
Valberg is one of the world’s best female wildlife photographers: she was the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s inaugural Photographer-in-Residence.
2018
Josephine Kamookak
Josephine Kamookak is an educator whose appreciation for the value of Inuit traditional knowledge was shared by her partner and ally, celebrated historian Louie Kamookak.
Michael Palin
Michael Palin is a great ambassador for geography, and his book Erebus is a rollicking account, filled with derring-do, at times funny at times harrowing and tragic.
Gregory Copley
Gregory Copley, historian, author, editor, strategic analyst, and president of the International Strategic Studies Association, is a long-standing supporter of and staunch advocate for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Jared Harris
Harris is a celebrated English actor best known for his brilliant work both in film and television. His spell-binding portrayal of Captain Francis Crozier in the AMC series The Terror brought the story of Sir John Franklin’s tragic British Arctic expedition of 1845-48 to a wider audience.
Anne Kari Ovind
Her Excellency, Anne Kari Ovind, was prior to her posting as Norway’s Ambassador to Canada, Director of the Section for the High North, Polar Affairs and Marine Resources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kim Wallace
Kim Wallace is a teacher, author, mentor and leader in geographic education in Canada. As a Fellow of the Society, Kim has worked tirelessly to successfully develop and implement a forward-looking geography curriculum for Ontario.
