Travelling Exhibit
It’s An Honour!, the travelling exhibit about the Canadian Honours System, concluded its cross-Canada successful journey in Peterborough, Ontario, on July 31, 2015. On the road since July 2013, it covered more than 50 000 kilometres; visited 144 communities in all 10 provinces, Yukon and the Northwest Territories and welcomed more than 79 000 visitors from across Canada.
“From Dawson City, Yukon, to St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, the travelling exhibit was met with enthusiasm everywhere it stopped,” said His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. “Along the way, its crew heard and shared remarkable stories of achievement, bravery, valour and service from honours recipients, community members and students. Our hope is that visitors were motivated by what they experienced and that they, in turn, will nominate deserving Canadians from their communities.”
For the last two years, the exhibit travelled to small towns and large cities, visiting schools and community centres, and participated in special events across the country with the goal of connecting with and inspiring visitors of all ages. During its travels, the unique space was host to special presentation ceremonies recognizing worthy local volunteers and students. Special guests such as Clara Hughes and Chris Hadfield also toured the exhibit, which celebrated some of their achievements. Check out our gallery of highlights from across the country.
The specially designed vehicle featured interpretative panels, multimedia elements and artifacts. It provided an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the Canadian Honours System through an interactive learning experience.
Thank you to everyone who has visited and supported the exhibit during its journey across Canada!
One of the objectives of the It’s an Honour! travelling exhibit was to increase awareness of Canada’s national honours and to profile the Canadians, from across the country and from all walks of life, who receive these honours. This exhibit provided an opportunity to bring to hundreds of schools and communities across the country a hands-on interactive learning experience. The exhibit also provided an opportunity to increase national pride as our country moves towards its 150th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Order of Canada and of the Canadian Honours System which was created in 1967.
The content of the exhibit was inspired by words chosen to reflect the values that Canadians respect and exemplify and that also form the foundation of our system of honours: courage, inspiration, tradition, service and excellence. The 1000 square foot mobile exhibit paid tribute to everyday and celebrated Canadians through stories, interactive media, touch and feel panels with actual medals and artefacts.
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General and the Rideau Hall Foundation wish to thank The Taylor Family Foundation (TTFF) for providing the vision and generosity that made the travelling exhibit possible. Through TTFF’s leadership, the exhibit was able to pay tribute to Canadian women, men and youth whose achievements, courage and dedication to service exemplify the heart and soul of our nation.
