WINNIPEG, Oct. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Since the beginning of humankind, telling stories has been one of our most fundamental communication methods. Whether it's oral, written, or technology-based, we all enjoy a good story told in an engaging and interactive narrative. Now Canada's History is in search of this country's next great storyteller and is dedicating the seventh annual Canada's History Forum to exceptional storytellers – both young and old.
Twenty years ago the Hudson's Bay Company created Canada's National History Society to help popularize and share Canadian history. In addition to their flagship publication, Canada's History magazine, the society created a new award to recognize exceptional storytellers. Fittingly, the award was named after its first recipient Pierre Berton. Now on the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the award and the tenth anniversary of Pierre Berton's passing, Canada's History is marking the occasion by celebrating those remarkable Canadians whose books, songs and videos are creating a profound national mythology.
The seventh annual Canada's History Forum, presented by Nexen Energy ULC, will feature former Moxy Früvous artist, Mike Ford who regularly tours high schools performing colourful renditions of Canadian icons like his garage punk anthem 'Sir John A, You're Ok' and his interactive song about Joey Smallwood – the controversial force behind bringing Newfoundland into Confederation.
Mark Zuehlke, this year's recipient of the Governor General's History Award for Popular Media – the Pierre Berton Award will host the keynote session. Zuehlke is one of Canada's leading popular military historians and is the author of the critically acclaimed Canadian Battle Series. Zuehlke will join the conversation at Canada's History Forum at the Canadian War Museum along with over 150 of Canada's top educators, community leaders, historians, museum curators and content producers to discuss storytelling for the public and in education as a means to create new opportunities to access the past and better understand our shared history.
The seventh annual Canada's History Forum will take place on Sunday, November 2nd at the Canadian War Museum (1 Vimy Place) in Ottawa from 10 am – 4:30 pm. The event is open to the public and free of charge to attend. Canadians can also watch a live broadcast of the presentations. To register or to view the complete program, visit CanadasHistory.ca/HistoryForum
An initiative of Canada's National History Society, produced with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and Nexen Energy ULC, the forum will also recognize the twenty-two winners of the 2014 Young Citizens program. Students from across Canada will travel to Ottawa and spend the days prior visiting Canada's capital and learning more about our nation's history.
Some of this year's presenters include:
Michel Côté – Worked for decades in the culture and museology fields as a manager and consultant. In 2010, he took on the role of leading the Musées de la Civilisation complex, which includes the Musée de la Civilisation, the Musée de l'Amerique Francophone, the Chevalier Historic House, the Musée de la place Royale and the Centre national de conservation et d'etude des collections.
David O'Keefe – An award-winning historian, documentarian and professor at Marianopolis College in Westmount, Quebec. He served with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in Montreal and worked as a Signals intelligence research historian for the Directorate of History and Heritage (DND). He has also created and collaborated on over 15 documentaries for History Television.
Neil Orford – Was the recipient of the 2013 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. He has a deep passion for engaging students in the joy of learning history and his strength comes from watching students revel in the wonderment of 'hands-on' history.
Mark Reid – Editor or Canada's History magazine. An award-winning journalist, he has worked as an editor, reporter, and photographer for CanWest news Service, the Calgary Herald, the New Brunswick Telegraph, Journal, and the Saint-John Times Globe. Reid is also the editor of Canada's Great War Album, a new personal look at the First World War
About Canada's History Society
Canada's History Society is a Winnipeg-based charitable organization devoted to popularizing Canadian history. In addition to publishing Canada's History (formerly The Beaver) magazine, and Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids, the Society also produces the Governor General's History Awards to celebrate excellence in the field and encourage more discovery, celebrations and understanding about our rich history and culture. More details can be found at CanadasHistory.ca.
SOURCE: Canada's History
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