Two Chatham-Kent residents are set to receive one of the country’s highest honours for their commitment to the documentation, preservation and celebration of Black history in Canada.
Governor General of Canada Mary Simon announced 78 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including Shannon and Bryan Prince.
Shannon is the longest-serving curator of the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum and announced her retirement from the role earlier this month after 25 years.
Shannon is also a distinguished academic, having given talks on CNN and the United Shades of America. She has also provided exceptional contributions to the field of Underground Railroad research, working with York University, the University of Toronto, Millersville University, and several other historical organizations around the world.
Bryan, a well-respected historian, has served as a consulting editor with England’s Adam Matthew Publications digital project “Slavery, Abolition and Social Justice” and a consultant and writer for “Detroit 300: Michigan and the Civil War”. He has also served as a member of the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the British transatlantic slave trade, the International Underground Railroad Heritage Program, and the Ontario Agricultural Museum.
In addition, Bryan is an award-winning author whose works include “I Came As A Stranger: The Underground Railroad” and “A Shadow On The Household”.
Shannon and Bryan will be invited to a ceremony at a later date to receive their Order of Canada insignia. The dates of the ceremonies have yet to be announced.
Every year since its creation in 1967, the Order of Canada has recognized people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the nation.
Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.