For his exceptional commitment to sharing Canadian history from a new perspective, Ian Duncan, who teaches at Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario, has been named a recipient of a Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching, the country’s most prestigious honour in the field of history.
Through the Historytellers Project, Duncan’s Grade 10 students delved into The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archive to explore overlooked histories of struggle and resilience of Canada’s diverse queer and trans communities. He invited activists, artists and community leaders, who helped students approach their research with empathy and creativity as well as powerful historical thinking skills. They shared the resulting physical and digital exhibits in their school and with the community, as well as online.
Administered by Canada’s History Society, this award recognizes the work of teachers and schools in furthering our understanding of the past and each other, and encourages them to strive for excellence in the teaching of Canadian history. This year, eight teachers representing six schools from across the country are being honoured. The 2025 laureates will receive their awards from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, at an upcoming ceremony.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, with Ian Duncan, Garth Webb Secondary School’s Teacher, Oakville, Ontario . Photo credit: PO 2 Louis Dubé, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2026
Visit the digital exhibition: https://digitalexhibitions.arquives.ca/exhibits/show/the-historytellers-project
To learn more about any of these recipients, please visit http://CanadasHistory.ca/GGHA2025