The seventh annual Symons lecture at Charlottetown's Confederation Centre of the Arts has a new feature this year: a $3,000 essay contest.
The annual lecture, named in honour of Trent University emeritus professor Thomas H. B. Symons, a pioneer in the field of Canadian studies, was established to provide a national platform to discuss the state of Canadian confederation. Symons was a long-time supporter and board member of the Confederation Centre.
Mary Simon, president of the national Inuit organization Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, will present this year's lecture, "Our Arctic, Our Canada," on Tuesday.
The essay competition will be open to students in Grades 11 and 12 from Prince Edward Island and Nunavut.
"Mary Simon is a timely choice as eyes in the south of Canada turn north on issues of aboriginal rights and social justice, national sovereignty, climate change and economic development," said Wayne Hambly, chairman of the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, in a news release Monday.
The lecture will focus on contributions the Inuit people have made to global discussions on climate change, indigenous rights and sovereignty, as well as their role in international discussions about Arctic waters, marine transportation, environmental initiatives and the future of international Arctic relations generally.
Students will be asked to write an essay on the lecture, with the top essay receiving $3,000. Second and third prize essays will be awarded $1,000. Funding for the prize comes from the Symons family.
Tuesday's lecture will be delivered at 1 p.m. AT at the Confederation Centre. Simon's address will also be videotaped and made available on the Confederation Centre's website.
