Rideau Hall, Monday, December 10, 2012

We are delighted to welcome you to Rideau Hall, the historic home of the people of Canada.

Let me begin by sharing with you a recent quote from art historian Ross King, who was here last month to receive the Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction for his book on Leonardo da Vinci and the painting of the Last Supper.

On the study of history, he said:

“The stories become interesting when you part the curtains of myth.”

What he meant was that the life and times of historical figures such as Leonardo are often even more interesting than we imagine. And in fact, King originally set out to write historical fiction, before realizing he would be doing a disservice to the actual facts, which were even more amazing than he first realized.

As the saying goes, truth is often stranger than fiction!

As students and teachers of Canadian history, each of you understands that our past is indeed fascinating, relevant and full of remarkable stories. You know that history—with its seemingly endless details and variations—does not, in fact, repeat itself, but you also appreciate the ways in which the past can help us to make sense of the present.

As an educator for much of my career, I would ask my students to consider the historical perspective behind any event. And as governor general, I often draw insight from Canada’s history in my speeches and remarks across the country and abroad.

Our history can be inspiring—as seen, for example, in the story of David Thompson, who was born into poverty in 18th-century England and who went on to become one of Western Canada’s greatest explorers.

History can also remind us of the darker side of our human nature, as evidenced by the events of April 25, 1849, when an angry mob destroyed Canada’s first parliament in Montréal—even as members were sitting in session! Knowing this reminds us Canada’s parliamentary democracy was a hard-won achievement, never to be taken for granted.

It is so important for us to understand our unique past and to learn the lessons of those who went before. Canada did not happen by accident, and that is why I am so delighted to celebrate your efforts to study and share our history.

Each of you is a storyteller, who knows that stories—true stories, well told—can sharpen our sense of history. And I am particularly pleased to note the variety of ways in which you learn of and share stories about our past. You are teachers, researchers, curators and community programmers. You are illustrators, storytellers and media specialists.

The range and diversity of your work is important because, as the late Jane Jacobs observed:

“Most of the details of a complex, living culture are transmitted neither in writing nor pictorially. Instead, cultures live through word of mouth and example. That is why we have cooking classes and cooking demonstrations, as well as cookbooks. That is why we have apprenticeships, internships, student tours, and on-the-job training as well as manuals and textbooks.”

And that is why we have these history awards, which celebrate the range of historical study and teaching taking place in Canada.

Today, we honour your efforts to learn and to transmit our Canadian experience. Yours is an essential contribution to the smarter, more caring nation of which we dream.

On behalf of all Canadians, thank you and congratulations.