Member of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: May 19, 2022
- Invested on: December 14, 2022
Germaine Therese Warkentin, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Germaine Warkentin is known globally for her work on the material culture of the book. Professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, she has unveiled the interweaving links between European Renaissance literature and early Canadian literature by studying the role of exploration writing. A visionary scholar, she has distinguished herself by examining Indigenous material evidence from before and during early contact, fostering a better understanding of the influence of non-alphabetical texts and communication systems on western print culture. For decades, she has shown a passionate commitment to mentoring succeeding generations of scholars.