2023 Vimy Pilgrimage Award; discover the list of 22 recipients!

News release

2023 Vimy Pilgrimage Award; discover the list of 22 recipients!

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The Vimy Foundation has announced the 22 youth recipients who will participate in the 2023 Vimy Pilgrimage Award supported by Scotiabank. This award recognizes their outstanding commitment and positive contributions to their community.
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Abiola AJIBOLA from Calgary, Alberta

Hunter BIENIAS-GREEN from Kingston, Ontario

Nora CALIF from Surrey, British Columbia

Yadhiera DESPEINES from Edmonton, Alberta

Marie-Soleil FORTIN from Saint-Jérôme, Québec

Amelia GAGNON from Ottawa, Ontario

Yaseen HAMMOUD from Ladysmith, British Columbia

Emily MCKINNON from Mission, British Columbia

Natalie MITCHELL from Portugal Cove St. Philips, Newfoundland and Labrador

Aidan NOWICKI from Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ronak PATEL from Cambridge, Ontario

Emma PITTS from Montréal, Québec

Antoine POITRAS from Moncton, New Brunswick

Aiden SATTERTHWAITE from Kelowna, British Columbia

Emma SMELTZER from Labelle, Nova Scotia

Julian TAN from Calgary, Alberta

Emanuel THIBEAULT from Egan-Sud, Québec

Tim VOLKOV from Toronto, Ontario

Jocelyn WONG from Markham, Ontario

Angela WU from Regina, Saskatchewan

Nicole XIE from Brossard, Québec

Mei ZENG form Regina, Saskatchewan

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These students from across Canada will fly to Europe on April 2 to participate in a nine-day program that includes daily visits to significant First World War sites, museums, cemeteries, and historic battlefields, as well as a series of lectures and discussions.

This experience will provide them with transferable skills and unique perspectives on the First World War and will allow them to connect with peers of the same generation, the leaders of tomorrow.  

We are very grateful to all those who applied and appreciate their dedication to community service and their interest in Canadian history.

Thank you to our lead sponsor Scotiabank for their generous support of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award. With a 190-year tradition of giving back to communities, Scotiabank invests for every future including supporting education, financial inclusion, community and economic resilience and increasing access to opportunities for all.

Thanks also to Air Canada for providing group booking support.

Finally, we would like to thank the Love Foundation for providing additional support to our recipients.
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For press statements, to learn more, or to connect with a recipient:

Executive Director Caitlin Bailey is also available for interview upon request.

About TheVimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation was established in 2006 and isa charity focused on raising awareness of the role Canada played in the FirstWorld War. In 2022, the Foundation amalgamated with the Canadian Centre for theGreat War, a Montreal-based community museum dedicated to the First World War.The Foundation works to preserve and promote Canada's ongoing legacy ofLeadership. All activities originated and all activities originated by theFoundation have this aspect in mind and aim to help educate and raise awarenessfor youth and all Canadians. The First World War victory at Vimy Ridge in April1917, a milestone where Canada came of age and was recognized on the worldstage and acts as a symbol of this rich legacy.