Above: Stephen Hanson, Vice Provost for Global Affairs (left), receives an $18,000 Government of Canada Program Enhancement Grant check from Denis Stevens, Consul General (center) at the annual Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium meeting facilitated by Ross Burkhardt, Boise State University.
By Ross Burkhart, Boise State University, member of the Board of Directors, Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium
The annual general meeting of the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium took place on Friday, February 25th, in the Odegaard Library on the UW campus. In existence since 1986, the consortium is comprised of 44 members, including the UW and campuses and intergovernmental organizations across Washington state, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, as well as campuses and governments in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta and the territory of Yukon in Canada.
The executive director of the consortium is Fr. Michael Treleaven from Gonzaga University, and the associate director is Dan Turbeville from Eastern Washington University. The consortium’s activities are supported by a Secretariat that is housed in the Canadian Studies Center on the UW campus, with Victoria Choe serving as the Executive Assistant.
The consortium’s mission is to promote the study of Canada through joint initiatives and sharing of information and best practices among the member institutions. Toward that end, the meeting featured presentations on a diverse set of topics. Highlights included a discussion of the study of Canada by Denis Stevens, the Consul General of the Consulate General of Canada, Seattle; a historical and environmental journey along the Columbia River presented by William Layman of the Wenatchee Valley Museum; the UW Canada-US Fulbright Chair, Marcia Ostashewski, introducing the audience to the Ukranian-Cree fiddler Arnie Strynadka and “A Legacy of Encounter”; a presentation by Victoria-based attorney Jon Lampman of a book project comparing Washington and British Columbia governments, economies and public services.
While the annual general meeting is a premier event, the consortium continually seeks opportunities to highlight the scholarship and study of Canada. Please contact the consortium at pnwcsc@uw.edu for more details and information.
The Canadian Studies Center is the Secretariat for the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium.