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Announcing the recipients of the 2026 Vimy Pilgrimage Award

Date published:

March 24, 2026

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News Release

Vimy Pilgrimage Award; Announcing the Canadian Students Selected to Participate in the 2026 Educational Program

March, 2026 – The Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Vimy Pilgrimage Award, an experiential program providing youth, ages 15 to 17 from across Canada, the opportunity to explore historic sites and participate in the annual Vimy Pilgrimage, which sees Canadians travel to France to pay their respects at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

The 2026 recipients include:

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  • Abhiraj Kambrath, Fredericton, NB

  • Amelia Man, Vancouver, BC

  • Sophie Liu, West Vancouver, BC

  • Brogan Savard, Iqaluit, NU

  • Connor Fitzpatrick, Stratford, PE

  • Cynthia Johannessen, Edmonton, AB

  • Danielle Moore, Beaver Bank, NS

  • Edith René, Ottawa, ON

  • Ella Clark, St. John’s, NL

  • Ella Bagshaw, Canmore, AB

  • Mariyah Al-Qoubtiyyah Sanogo, Calgary, AB

  • Emily Munro, Oshawa, ON

  • Jasmine Wong, Markham, ON

  • Elyse Lusignan, Gatineau, QC

  • Jessy Lafreniere, Val-d’Or, QC

  • Joseph Ferguson, Brandon, MB

  • Mia Danyluk, Winnipeg, MB

  • Longinote Paul Zambrano, Moose Jaw, SK

  • Jackson Fuller, Hay River, NT

  • Khalid Saheed-Kolade, Saint John, NB
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These talented students were selected for their academic excellence, community involvement, and passion for history. From April 3 to April 11, they will travel across France and Belgium, visiting historic sites, museums, cemeteries, and battlefields such as the Somme, Passchendaele, and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.

Throughout the program, students will share reflections on the VPA Blog page on the Vimy Foundation website, gaining skills and perspectives from the past while connecting with peers and fellow leaders of tomorrow.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The Estate of Mildred and Tom Irvine, The Jon and Nancy Love Fund at The Toronto Foundation, The MacDonald Stewart Foundation, Commissionaires Northern Alberta, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, Ken Miner and Family, and other generous supporters who make this program possible.

We also thank our travel partners: Ellison Travel & Tours, Randhawa Group, Aeroplan, Air Creebec, and Canadian North.

About the Vimy Pilgrimage Award Program

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award program is a rigorous and comprehensive initiative aimed at educating youth about the pivotal moments of the First World War. Students are selected based on a competitive application process that places emphasis on their involvement in their community  and their responses to various components:

  1. Community Contributions: Describe the ways in which they contribute to their community through volunteer work or other initiatives.
  2. Personal Statement Video: Students record a video explaining the importance of learning about the FWW, how they can promote awareness in their community, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they can contribute to it.
  3. Resume: Detailing relevant experiences such as volunteer work, projects, community involvement, and awards.
  4. Letter of Reference: A reference letter from a teacher, counselor, or community leader.

This comprehensive selection process ensures that participants are not only academically proficient but also passionate about history and community engagement.

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Mother Canada In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. “Mother Canada” is a striking fine-art photograph capturing one of the most powerful and recognizable figures of the Vimy Memorial. This image highlights the solemn grace and enduring symbolism of the monument, offering a deeply moving tribute to sacrifice and remembrance. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. An Attribution Sheet accompanies every print, providing details about the image, edition, copyright, and framing. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"Mother Canada" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00 

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The Vimy Memorial In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. This fine-art photograph of the Vimy Memorial offers a timeless perspective on one of Canada’s most significant national symbols. Through careful composition and light, the image captures both the monument’s architectural grandeur and its profound historical meaning. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. Included with every purchase is an Attribution Sheet outlining details about the photograph, edition, copyright, and framing. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"The Vimy Memorial" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00 

On sale
Stone of Remembrance In the lead up to the 90th anniversary of the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Blair Ketcheson has made available a small release of prints from his Portraits of an Icon collection. “Stone of Remembrance” highlights one of the defining elements found across Commonwealth war cemeteries. Each Stone bears the inscription “Their name liveth for evermore,” chosen by Rudyard Kipling from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, reflecting the enduring remembrance of the fallen. Produced exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, each print is part of a limited edition of fifty, signed and numbered by the artist. Prints measure approximately 13” x 19” on 17” x 22” sheets. An Attribution Sheet is included with each order, detailing the image, edition, copyright, and framing information. Each print is numbered to 50 and available only while supplies last. Copyright © 2014 Blair Ketcheson : All Rights Reserved.

"Stone of Remembrance" Print by Blair Ketcheson numbered to 50

$ 300.00 

$ 300.00