Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Encyclopedia
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) (in French
, La Société géographique royale du Canada (SRGC)) is a Canadian
non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada
— its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.
and a group of eminent Canadians, including Marius Barbeau
, an ethnographer and folklorist who is today considered a founder of Canadian anthropology, Hon. A.E. Arsenault, Premier of Prince Edward Island and Justice of the province's Supreme Court, Lawrence J. Burpee, Secretary for Canada, International Joint Commission, John Wesley Dafoe
, Managing Editor, (Winnipeg) Free Press, Hon. Albert Hudson
, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and Dr. O.D. Skelton, Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs. The Rt. Hon. Viscount Willingdon, Governor-General of Canada, was founding Patron. J.B. Joseph Tyrrell
, a geologist and cartographer whose exploits include the discovery of Albertosaurus bones in Alberta's Bandlands, and making first contact with the Ihalmiut
("People from Beyond") of the Keewatin district of Canada's Northwest Territories, served as founding Honorary President. Arthur Philemon Coleman
, a geologist and explorer who between 1884 and 1908 made eight trips of discovery to the Canadian Rockies, was named Honorary Vice-President. At its first meeting, Dr. Camsell said the Society was formed "purely for patriotic purposes," and hoped it would "be a unifying influence upon the life of Canada." A report by the Acting Secretary, E.S. Martindale, stated the intention of the founders: "The work of making the resources and other geographic factors of each part of the Dominion more widely known and more clearly understood is one of the best educational services that can be undertaken -- and one that cannot be rendered except through a geographic organization animated by a broad national purpose."
The RCGS publishes the award-winning English-language magazine
, Canadian Geographic
, which has been published continuously since 1930 (when it was called the Canadian Geographical Journal). The Society’s French-language magazine, Géographica
, which is published in collaboration with La Presse, was introduced in 1997.
Alan Beddoe
designed the arms for The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and his fonds includes a black and white photograph of the letters patent.
, explorer Henry Larsen
, historian L'abbé Arthur Maheux, anthropologist Diamond Jenness
, businessman E.P. Taylor and hotelier Conrad Hilton
. Current Fellows include Gilbert M. Grosvenor, of the National Geographic Society. Besides regular Fellows, the Society elects Honorary Fellows, people recognized for special or outstanding achievements. The President, and other members of the executive, are elected by the College of Fellows at the Society's annual general meeting.
The Governor General of Canada
serves as the patron of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Massey Medal
Recognizing outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart Massey.
(RCGS) and 3M
Canada to recognize outstanding individuals in business, government, academia or community organizations whose innovative contributions to environmental change are benefiting Canada and Canadians.
awards the Camsell Medal to bestow recognition upon, and to express the Society’s appreciation to, individuals who have given outstanding service to the Society.
The award was established by the Society’s Board of Governors in 1992.
(CCGE) is a joint initiative of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society
of Washington, D.C. established in 1993.
The programs of the CCGE aim to strengthen geographic education in the classroom. In addition to increasing the emphasis on geography within the school system, the CCGE endeavours to increase the public awareness of the importance of geographical literacy.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, La Société géographique royale du Canada (SRGC)) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
— its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.
History
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society was founded in 1929 by Charles CamsellCharles Camsell
Charles Camsell was a Canadian geologist and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from December 3, 1936 to December 3, 1946.-Early life:...
and a group of eminent Canadians, including Marius Barbeau
Marius Barbeau
Charles Marius Barbeau, , also known as C. Marius Barbeau, or more commonly simply Marius Barbeau, was a Canadian ethnographer and folklorist who is today considered a founder of Canadian anthropology...
, an ethnographer and folklorist who is today considered a founder of Canadian anthropology, Hon. A.E. Arsenault, Premier of Prince Edward Island and Justice of the province's Supreme Court, Lawrence J. Burpee, Secretary for Canada, International Joint Commission, John Wesley Dafoe
John Wesley Dafoe
John Wesley Dafoe was a Canadian journalist and Liberal. From 1901 to 1944 he was the editor of the Manitoba Free Press, later named the Winnipeg Free Press. He also wrote several books, including a biography of Wilfrid Laurier. Dafoe was one of the country's most influential and powerful...
, Managing Editor, (Winnipeg) Free Press, Hon. Albert Hudson
Albert Hudson
Albert Blellock Hudson was a politician and judge from Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1914 to 1920 as a member of the Manitoba Liberal Party, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Tobias C. Norris...
, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and Dr. O.D. Skelton, Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs. The Rt. Hon. Viscount Willingdon, Governor-General of Canada, was founding Patron. J.B. Joseph Tyrrell
Joseph Tyrrell
Joseph Burr Tyrrell was a Canadian geologist, cartographer, and mining consultant. He discovered dinosaur bones in Alberta's Badlands and coal around Drumheller in 1884....
, a geologist and cartographer whose exploits include the discovery of Albertosaurus bones in Alberta's Bandlands, and making first contact with the Ihalmiut
Ihalmiut
The Ihalmiut or Ahiarmiut are a group of inland Inuit who lived along the banks of the Kazan River, Ennadai Lake Little Dubawnt Lake , and north of Thlewiaza in northern Canada's Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories, now the Kivalliq Region of present-day Nunavut...
("People from Beyond") of the Keewatin district of Canada's Northwest Territories, served as founding Honorary President. Arthur Philemon Coleman
Arthur Philemon Coleman
Arthur Philemon Coleman was a Canadian geologist and academic.-Biography:Born in Lachute, Quebec, the son of Rev. Francis Coleman and Emmeline Maria Adams , he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1876 and Master of Arts in 1880 from Victoria College in Cobourg, Ontario. He received a Ph.D...
, a geologist and explorer who between 1884 and 1908 made eight trips of discovery to the Canadian Rockies, was named Honorary Vice-President. At its first meeting, Dr. Camsell said the Society was formed "purely for patriotic purposes," and hoped it would "be a unifying influence upon the life of Canada." A report by the Acting Secretary, E.S. Martindale, stated the intention of the founders: "The work of making the resources and other geographic factors of each part of the Dominion more widely known and more clearly understood is one of the best educational services that can be undertaken -- and one that cannot be rendered except through a geographic organization animated by a broad national purpose."
The RCGS publishes the award-winning English-language magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, Canadian Geographic
Canadian Geographic
Canadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society . It was first published in May 1930 under the name Canadian Geographical Journal. The society's objective was to produce a popular magazine dealing primarily with Canadian geography...
, which has been published continuously since 1930 (when it was called the Canadian Geographical Journal). The Society’s French-language magazine, Géographica
Géographica
Géographica is the French-language magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society , published under the Society's French name, the Société géographique royale du Canada . Introduced in 1997, Géographica is not a stand-alone publication, but is published as an irregular supplement to La...
, which is published in collaboration with La Presse, was introduced in 1997.
Alan Beddoe
Alan Beddoe
Lieutenant-Commander Alan Brookman Beddoe, OC, OBE, HFHS, FHSC was a Canadian artist, war artist, consultant in heraldry and founder and first president of the Heraldry Society of Canada in 1965....
designed the arms for The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and his fonds includes a black and white photograph of the letters patent.
Programs
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society has education, expeditions, research and lectures programs.Organizational structure
The Society's Board of Governors and its program committees are made up entirely of volunteers, many of whom are members of the College of Fellows. Traditionally, Fellows were elected "in recognition of outstanding service to Canada." Past Fellows of the Society include such eminent names as the painter A.Y. Jackson, former Conservative leader and Nova Scotia Premier Robert StanfieldRobert Stanfield
Robert Lorne Stanfield, PC, QC was the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He is sometimes referred to as "the greatest prime minister Canada never had", and earned the nickname "Honest Bob"...
, explorer Henry Larsen
Henry Larsen
Henry Asbjørn Larsen was a Canadian Arctic explorer. Larsen was born in Norway, like his hero, Roald Amundsen. Like Amundsen, he became a seaman. Larsen immigrated to Canada, and became a British citizen in 1927...
, historian L'abbé Arthur Maheux, anthropologist Diamond Jenness
Diamond Jenness
Diamond Jenness, CC was one of Canada's greatest early scientists and a pioneer of Canadian anthropology.-Biography:...
, businessman E.P. Taylor and hotelier Conrad Hilton
Conrad Hilton
Conrad Nicholson Hilton was an American businessman and investor. He is well known for being the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain.-Early life:Hilton was born in San Antonio, New Mexico...
. Current Fellows include Gilbert M. Grosvenor, of the National Geographic Society. Besides regular Fellows, the Society elects Honorary Fellows, people recognized for special or outstanding achievements. The President, and other members of the executive, are elected by the College of Fellows at the Society's annual general meeting.
The Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
serves as the patron of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Presidents
- 1930 – 1941 Dr. Charles CamsellCharles CamsellCharles Camsell was a Canadian geologist and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from December 3, 1936 to December 3, 1946.-Early life:...
, Geologist in Charge of Explorations for the Geological Survey of Canada, and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Oversaw the exploration of the uncharted parts of Canada's North — a vast area covering 1.4 million square kilometres or about 25 percent of the country. - 1941 - 1944 Dr. George J. Desbarats, Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries and of National Defence. He was the Canadian official who first learned that explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson was separated from his ship, and that the Karluk was missing in the Arctic ice.
- 1944 – 1950 Mr. Charles C. Cowan
- 1950 – 1955 Air Marshal Robert LeckieRobert Leckie (aviator)Air Marshal Robert Leckie CB, DSO, DSC, DFC, CD was a Canadian aviation pioneer and Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1944 to 1947.- First World War service :...
, an aviation pioneer and Chief of the Air Staff for the Royal Canadian Air Force. An outstanding fighter pilot during the First World War, he flew attacks on German Zeppelins, and downed two. - 1955 – 1963 Maj.-Gen. H.A. Young, commanded the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade at Normandy, and served as Deputy Minister of Public Works. As head of the Advisory Committee on Northern Development, in 1953 he studied threats to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.
- 1963 – 1967 Dr. Omond SolandtOmond SolandtOmond McKillop Solandt, CC, OBE, CD, FRSC was an important Canadian scientist who was the first Chairman of the Canadian Defence Research Board.-Career:...
, scientist and first Chairman of both Canada’s Defence Research Board and the Science Council of Canada. He was a scientific advisor to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, and later a member of the joint military mission sent to Japan to evaluate the effects of the atomic bomb. - 1967 – 1977 Dr. Pierre CamuPierre CamuPierre Camu, is a Canadian geographer, civil servant, academic, and transport executive.-Biography:Born in Montreal, Quebec, Camu received a Master of Arts degree in 1947 and a Ph.D. in Geography in 1951 from the Université de Montréal. From 1947 to 1949, he did his post-graduate studies at Johns...
, geographer and civil servant. Served as President of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, and later as Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). He is co-founder of the Trans Canada Trail. - 1977 – 1986 Mr. Denis CoolicanDenis CoolicanDenis M. Coolican was a Canadian businessman and regional politician.Born in Ottawa, Coolican graduated from the University of Ottawa and McGill University in Montreal. His educational background was in science and engineering. He joined the Canadian Bank Note Company eventually becoming its...
- 1986 – 1992 Dr. Alexander T. Davidson, geographer and civil servant. Served as chief of resources for the federal Department of Northern Affairs, and assistant deputy minister of rural development; water; policy, planning and research for Environment Canada; and Parks Canada. He also was Chairman of the federal Panel Concerning Low Level Military Flights in Labrador-Goose Bay.
- 1992 – 1998 Dr. Denis A. St-Onge, geoscientist with the Geological Survey of Canada. Conducted pioneering research into the evolution of landscape under extreme cold climate on Ellef Ringnes Island in the High Arctic. He is credited with developing a unique method of mapping geomorphology.
- 1998 – 2004 Dr. Arthur E. Collin
- 2004 - 2010 Ms Gisèle Jacob, Director General with Environment Canada and Deputy Secretary General for the Canadian Human Rights Commission. She also served as chair of the Geographical Names Board of Canada.
- 2010 - Mr. John G. GeigerJohn G. GeigerJohn G. Geiger is author of The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible, which popularized the concept of the "Third Man", an incorporeal being that aids people under extreme duress. The book is the basis for National Geographic Channel's Explorer:The Angel Effect, in which Geiger appears...
Notable Vice-Presidents
- 1930 - 1934 J. Mackintosh Bell, geologist, explorer and writer. His field work included pioneer exploration in Arctic Canada for the Geological Survey of Canada. He later became director of the Geological Survey of New Zealand.
- 1939 - 1941 Senator W. A. Buchanan, former Member of Parliament and publisher of the Lethbridge Herald.
- 1939 - 1954 Gen. A.G.L. Andrew McNaughtonAndrew McNaughtonGeneral Andrew George Latta McNaughton, CH, CB, CMG, DSO, CD, PC was a Canadian army officer, politician and diplomat.- Early life :...
, Chief of the General Staff for Canada, Commanding officer of the First Canadian Infantry Division, and Ambassador to the United Nations.
Massey MedalMassey MedalThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart...
Recognizing outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart Massey.Gold Medal
Recognizing a particular achievement by one or more individuals in the general field of geography or a significant national or international event.Recipients
- 2011 Jerry Linenger and Sir Christopher Ondaatje
- 2010 Alex TrebekAlex TrebekGeorge Alexander "Alex" Trebek is a Canadian American game show host who has been the host of the game show Jeopardy! since 1984, and prior to that, he hosted game shows such as Pitfall and High Rollers. He has appeared in numerous television series, usually as himself...
and Canadian International Polar Year National Committee - 2009 Wade DavisWade DavisEdmund Wade Davis is a Canadian anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author and photographer whose work has focused on worldwide indigenous cultures, especially in North and South America and particularly involving the traditional uses and beliefs associated with psychoactive plants...
- 2007 The Nature of Québec/Le Québec au naturel
- 2006 The Atlas of Canada
- 2004 Jean Lemire and Edryd Shaw
- 2003 Roger F. TomlinsonRoger TomlinsonRoger F. Tomlinson, CM is an English geographer and the primary originator of modern computerized Geographic Information Systems , and has been acknowledged as the "father of GIS".Dr...
- 2002 Gordon Slade
- 2001 Norman Hallendy
- 2000 Bernard VoyerBernard VoyerBernard Voyer, is a French Canadian explorer and mountaineer.Born in Rimouski, Quebec, he has skied across Ellesmere Island; travelled to the North Pole in 1994 and South Pole in 1996; climbed Mount Everest in 1999 and Mount Fuji in 2004.In 1997, he was made a Knight of the National Order of...
- 1998 Mary May Simon
- 1997 Peter GzowskiPeter GzowskiPeter Gzowski, was a Canadian broadcaster, writer and reporter, most famous for his work on the CBC radio show Morningside. His first biographer argued that Gzowski's contribution to Canadian media must be considered in the context of efforts by a generation of Canadian nationalists to understand...
- 1996 Gilbert M. Grosvenor
- 1995 Harold K. Eidsvik, Dr. Lawrence W. MorleyLawrence MorleyLawrence Morley, Ph.D. is a Canadian geophysicist. He is best known for his studies on the magnetic properties of ocean crust and their effect on plate tectonics.-Biography:Morley worked with Britons Fred Vine and Drummond Matthews...
and Dr. Victor K. Prest - 1994 The Historical Atlas of Canada, volumes II and III
- 1988 The Historical Atlas of Canada, Volume I, William G. Dean, Richard Colebrook Harris, and Geoffrey J. Matthews
- 1986 Dr. Derek C. Ford
- 1980 Selma Barkham
- 1978 Dr. J. Tuzo Wilson
- 1976 National Atlas of Canada
- 1973 Maj. Gen. William J. Megill
- 1972 Dr. Stanislaw Lesczychki
Canadian Award for Environmental Innovation
The Canadian Award for Environmental Innovation was established in 2009 by The Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
(RCGS) and 3M
3M
3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
Canada to recognize outstanding individuals in business, government, academia or community organizations whose innovative contributions to environmental change are benefiting Canada and Canadians.
Camsell Medal
The Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
awards the Camsell Medal to bestow recognition upon, and to express the Society’s appreciation to, individuals who have given outstanding service to the Society.
The award was established by the Society’s Board of Governors in 1992.
Recipients
- 2010- Pierre Bergeron and Helen Kerfoot
- 2009- James Raffan and Ted Johnson
- 2008- Kenneth Boland and Carman Joynt
- 2007- Stuart Semple and Brian Osborne
- 2006- Karen Lochhead and Michael Schmidt
- 2005- James Maxwell and Denis St-Onge
- 2004- Samuel P. Arsenault and Alexander T. Davidson
- 2003- Blair Seaborn and David Kirkwood
- 2002- Alan O. Gibbons
- 2001- Dickson Mansfield
- 2000- Winifred Wadasinghe-Wijay
- 1999- Pierre CamuPierre CamuPierre Camu, is a Canadian geographer, civil servant, academic, and transport executive.-Biography:Born in Montreal, Quebec, Camu received a Master of Arts degree in 1947 and a Ph.D. in Geography in 1951 from the Université de Montréal. From 1947 to 1949, he did his post-graduate studies at Johns...
and Grete Hale - 1998- Pierre Des Marais II and Dr. George Hobson
- 1997- Enid Byford and Robert Goddard
- 1996- David Bartlett
- 1995- William M. Gilchrist and Col. Louis M. Sebert
- 1994- Wendy Simpson-Lewis
- 1993- David W. PhillipsDavid Phillips (climatologist)David Phillips, CM is a climatologist for Environment Canada, a spokesperson for the Meteorological Service of Canada, and author.- Career :Phillips grew up in Windsor, studied geography at the University of Windsor and after graduating in 1967, began working at the Meteorological Branch of...
and Dr. Ernest P. Weeks - 1992- Dr. J. Keith FraserJ. Keith FraserDr. John Keith Fraser is a Canadian physical geographer. He served as president of the Canadian Association of Geographers, as well as the executive secretary, publisher and general manager of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.-Biography:...
and Samuel F. Hughes
Canadian Council for Geographic Education
The Canadian Council for Geographic EducationCanadian Council for Geographic Education
The Canadian Council for Geographic Education is a joint initiative of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society of Washington, D.C. established in 1993....
(CCGE) is a joint initiative of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
of Washington, D.C. established in 1993.
The programs of the CCGE aim to strengthen geographic education in the classroom. In addition to increasing the emphasis on geography within the school system, the CCGE endeavours to increase the public awareness of the importance of geographical literacy.