Past Gold Medal Winners

2022

Jean Chrétien

Lawyer and former Prime Minister of Canada, honoured for his long career in public service and commitment to strengthening Canadian democracy.

Joshua Kutryk

A Canadian astronaut, RCAF lieutenant colonel, and engineer for his contributions to exploration and Canada’s space program.

Dr. Joseph MacInnis

Dr. Joseph MacInnis is a physician and scientist who has developed innovative diving systems used to explore the world’s oceans.

Paul Martin

Awarded for his career in public service, including as Prime Minister, and his vision of global humanitarianism, premised on the principle of equity of opportunity for all.

Mark Pathy

A businessman, philanthropist and astronaut, in recognition for his generous support for Society programming.

2021

Students On Ice Canada C3

In recognition of the organization’s leadership, engagement and inspiration of youth in polar education.

Sara Seager

In recognition of her incredible work exploring the frontiers of our universe. Seager is a global leader in the study of exoplanets — the planets lying beyond the realm of our own solar system. She may well be “the woman who might find us another Earth,” according to the New York Times.

Jenni Sidey-Gibbons

Sidey-Gibbons is the third Canadian woman and youngest Canadian to become a NASA astronaut. While studying in the U.K., she co-founded the Cambridge chapter of Robogals, an international organization to encourage young women to get involved in STEM subjects reaching over 3,000 girls in that country.

William Shatner

An internationally recognized philanthropist, actor, author, musician, director and producer, Shatner received the Gold Medal for his body of work.

2020

Brian Mulroney

Recognized for his leadership on bold, forward-looking initiatives that became templates for similar policies around the world, including the Canada-U.S. Fair Trade Agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-U.S. Acid Rain Treaty and, notably, the Canada-U.S. Arctic Cooperation Agreement.

2019

Jennifer Baichwal

Jennifer Baichwal is a celebrated documentary filmmaker, director, producer and writer whose body of work has garnered national and international acclaim. Jennifer shaped the premise and production of Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, which brings to the forefront evidence of the interplay between humans and the planet.

Richard Boudreault

Richard Boudreault is an internationally recognized leader in Arctic science and research. He has demonstrated an irrefutable commitment to improving Northern research and integrating traditional knowledge of First Nations and Inuit communities in current and future polar research.

Edward Burtynsky

Edward is one of the planet’s most respected photographers. His signature large-scale photographs are widely acclaimed for their captivating and provocative depictions of the interplay between humans and the natural world, and are represented in the collections of museums and galleries around the world.

Joe Clark

A statesman, businessman, writer, education and politician, he has been awarded numerous honorary degrees and accolades that acknowledge his consensus diplomacy and the contributions he has made to shaping Canada.

Adrienne Clarkson

Adrienne Clarkson, journalist, author, honorary chief, and co-founder of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, has played an inestimable role in fashioning an understanding of Canadian identity.

Nicholas De Pencier

Director of Photography for the film Anthropocene: The Human Epoc, Nick married his expertise with an appreciation for the gravity and importance of the subject: the deep and lasting impact of humankind on the natural landscape.

Andrew Feustel

Andrew Jay “Drew” Feustel is a geophysicist, astronaut, aquanaut and musician who holds dual Canadian and American citizenship. On his most recent mission, he commanded the International Space Station on Expedition 55/56. During the flight, he used Canadarm 2 to capture the Japanese HTV7 cargo spacecraft.

Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall, anthropologist, primatologist, author, educator and environmentalist, is known internationally for her ground-breaking research with wild chimpanzees in Africa and for her indefatigable advocacy on behalf of the environment.

David Johnston

David Johnston is a statesman, legal scholar, educator and author who served with distinction as Canada’s 28th Governor General. His commitment to education, learning and innovation, and to a caring Canada, are second to none, and his dedication to equality is evident in the Rideau Hall Foundation, which he established and continues to serve.

Harrison Schmitt

Dr. Harrison Hagan “Jack” Schmitt is an American geologist, astronaut, academic, author, politician and consultant in business, geology, space and public policy. He lent his expertise in lunar geology to NASA’s lunar program and joined the Apollo 17 mission as a civilian scientist.

Michael Ulica

Awarded for his work as President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Geographic Society. A global geographic leader, Michael was also a driving force behind a new strategic partnership between the NGS and the RCGS, The Trebek Initiative.

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation

Honoured for its transformative role in northern science through its generous support of accomplished and emerging scholars and its collaboration with governments, scientists, Inuit communities and not-for-profit organizations.

2018

Trans Canada Trail

The Great Trail has been called the contemporary equivalent of the national dream, connecting millions of Canadians and exposing them to their natural heritage and remarkable geography, to new people and communities.

Perry Bellegarde

National Chief Bellegarde is a strong advocate for honouring and implementing inherent rights and Treaty rights, title and jurisdiction. Drawing on the strong beliefs and traditions instilled in him by the many Chiefs and Elders he has known, National Chief Bellegarde is passionate about creating real, measurable progress on priorities that matter most to First Nations and that will close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and the rest of Canada.

Clément Chartier

Clément Chartier is a lawyer, writer, activist, lecturer, and leader who has served in both political and administrative capacities with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in Canada and abroad.

Natan Obed

Natan Obed has devoted his career to working with Inuit representational organizations to improve the well-being of Inuit in Canada. He has been instrumental in working towards a renewed relationship with the Government of Canada based on mutual respect.

Ry Moran

As the founding director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Ry Moran has worked tirelessly to build a vibrant, dynamic and effective organization that generates awareness and understanding among all Canadians about Indigenous issues, past, present and future.

Roberta Jamieson

Roberta Jamieson is an inspirational leader who has garnered national acclaim and recognition for her role in shaping public policy and good governance in Canada and for her successful efforts to advance the educational outcomes of Indigenous students nationwide.

2017

Sir David Attenborough

Presented in recognition of his lifelong contributions to advancing public awareness of the natural world.

Gordon Lightfoot

Lightfoot is a singer-songwriter and prolific Canadian cultural ambassador with more than 20 bestselling albums.

John Turner

John Turner is Canada’s 17th Prime Minister; served for decades as a public servant and has travelled extensively in the Arctic.

2016

Marc R. St-Onge

Marc is an experienced field geologist and petrologist interested in documenting the origin of continents and the plate tectonic evolution of the Arctic.

Paul F. Hoffman

Canadian tectonic and sedimentary field geologist and Professor Emeritus of Geology at Harvard University.

Denis St-Onge

An experienced researcher and scientist, he has contributed to the geological exploration and interpretation of Canada.

Geological Survey of Canada

2015

Jacob Verhof

As Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, Atlantic, Dr. Verhoef recognized the unique role of Natural Resources Canada in this endeavor and spearheaded Canadian efforts for the UNCLOS Extended Continental Shelf mapping program.

Graeme Gibson

A tireless advocate for Canadian writers, Graeme Gibson has been instrumental in the foundation and the development of major writers’ organizations.

Margaret Atwood

Her contribution to literature through a remarkable and globally celebrated body of work, Margaret Atwood has deepened our understanding of the relationship between literature and geography.

2014

Canada’s Astronauts and the Canadian Space Agency

From brain surgeons to rocket scientists, each one of the eight former and current Canadian astronauts honoured with this medal has made achievements in the broad field of geography and been a part of important national and international events.

2013

Michael Palin

For his contribution to geographical literacy.

Robert Bateman

For his work to make the RCGS a leading educational force in Canada.

Yvan Desy and Sylvain Lemay of Natural Resources Canada

For the completion of the topographic mapping of Canada at the 1:50 000 scale.

2012

Dr. Phillip Currie

Philip J. Currie is a Professor and Canada Research Chair of Dinosaur Paleobiology at the University of Alberta in Canada. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary.

2011

Sir Christopher Ondaatje

For his long abiding support for geography.

Dr. Jerry Linenger

For his outstanding contribution to furthering geographic education around the world.

Parks Canada, the Dehcho First Nations and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

For their collaborative efforts to protect the Nahanni Wilderness Reserve.

2010

Alex Trebek

For his outstanding contribution to popularizing geographic education.

Canadian International Polar Year National Committee

For its guidance and vital role in ensuring the success of Canada’s IPY 2007-2008 program

2009

Dr. Wade Davis

Wade Davis is RCGS Honorary Vice-president and a writer, photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken him from the Amazon to Tibet, Africa to Australia, Polynesia to the Arctic.

Past Gold Medal winners