Press Releases

The Board of Directors of The Canadian Canoe Museum is delighted to announce that veteran broadcaster Shelagh Rogers has agreed to become the museum’s Ambassador at Large. This position, designed to capitalize on Rogers’ interest in the canoe, which became known during the CBC Seven Wonders of Canada Project, was created to help make the museum and its collection better known to Canadians. The voluntary position will involve promoting museum programs and initiatives across Canada as well as participating in special events at the museum in Peterborough. A native of Ottawa and a direct descendant of legendary canoeist and Hudson’s Bay Company Governor, Sir George Simpson, Shelagh Rogers is known and loved by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. She has hosted flagship programs for the CBC, including This Morning and Sounds Like Canada. In 2000, she won the John Drainie Award, Canada’s highest broadcasting honour. She is a Champion of Mental Health, the winner of the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit and holds an honourary doctorate from the University of Western Ontario.

In a low-key induction ceremony at the museum on February 17th, during which she was presented with a “canoekelele” (a unique Canadian instrument which marries a ukelele with a canoe paddle) as her badge of office, Rogers said: “What we have here in The Canadian Canoe Museum is the heart and soul of Canada. The canoe has always brought diverse groups together for a common purpose and always will. The story of the canoe is a very positive one and, given that a third of the collection is Aboriginal in origin, Canada has an opportunity to tell a fresh story about partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians and build a new and affirming relationship. I’m looking forward to joining the museum in this new role.”

“The Ambassador at Large initiative is part of a greater thrust on the part of The Canadian Canoe Museum to reach out to Canadians to broaden the base of awareness and support for the amazing portrait of Canada contained in the museum and its unique collection of 600 plus canoes, kayaks and self-propelled craft. We are actively seeking help from national figures to help spread the word and build a national constituency of support for the museum. Shelagh, with her cross-country connections is perfect for this new outreach position, ” said Executive Director, James Raffan

General Manager, John Summers, added: “We are delighted to have Shelagh’s support and look forward to her taking the Canoe Museum with her as she speaks and participates in events across the country, including a special edition of her national book program “The Next Chapter” featuring the canoe in Canadian literature that will be airing on the May long weekend. And we look forward to her joining us at our upcoming Evening of Indian Cuisine on May 8th and again as host of the 2010 Beaver Club Gala on Friday, October 15th.”

The Canadian Canoe Museum

James Raffan Executive Director
John Summers General Manager