Victoria Grant of the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Chair of the Board of Directors has received the highest honour of Canada as she was appointed the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Thursday.
Grant received the honour for her work on bridging the gap between Indigenous, non-Indigenous culture, business and communities through her facilitation and mediation.
She became involved with the Canadian Canoe Museum through the National Council in 2017. She joined the board in 2018 and became the Chair of the Board of Directors in 2020.
“I cannot think of anyone who deserves this high recognition as much as Victoria,” said Carolyn Hyslop, the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Executive Director. “Her contribution to this country has been immeasurable. The museum is so proud and fortunate to have her leadership and knowledge. She has been such a valuable asset to us, especially during those turbulent pandemic times, as we continued to forge ahead with our plans to create our new home in the community.”
Grant co-founded the Temagami Community Foundation in 2000. She helped create the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund. Both foundations have raised and disbursed millions of dollars through resiliency grants.
The newly appointed recipient has served on numerous boards including being a member of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Vice-Chair of the Ontario Health Quality Council, Chair of the Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, Director of the Counselling Foundation of Canada and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement and dedication to the community and service to the nation.