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The Vimy Foundation Announces the recipients of the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award

Date published:

March 20, 2025

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March 20, 2025 – The Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation is proud to announce the youth recipients selected to participate in the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award. This prestigious educational program provides Canadian youth, ages 15 to 17, with the opportunity to explore historic sites and participate in the annual Vimy Pilgrimage, which brings Canadians to France to pay their respects at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

From April 3 to April 10, the selected students will travel across France and Belgium, visiting key First World War sites, museums, cemeteries, and battlefields, including Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial and the In Flanders Fields Museum. Throughout this immersive program, students will engage deeply with history and gain a greater understanding of its lasting impact.

This program not only fosters historical awareness but also equips students with transferable skills and unique perspectives that will serve them in their future endeavors.

The Vimy Foundation extends its gratitude to The Estate of Mildred and Tom Irvine, The Jon and Nancy Love Fund at The Toronto Foundation, The Whitmer Trudel Charitable Foundation, The Jaclyn Rosevear Fund at The Fiera Capital Foundation, The Peter Cundill Foundation, The MacDonald Stewart Foundation, and other generous supporters for making this experience possible. We also thank our travel partners: the Randhawa Group, Ellison Travel & Tours, and Aeroplan.

Meet the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award Recipients

About the Vimy Pilgrimage Award Program

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award is a rigorous and comprehensive initiative designed to educate youth about the pivotal moments of the First World War. Participants are selected through a competitive application process that assesses their academic engagement and community involvement. The selection criteria include:

  • Community Contributions: Demonstrating volunteerism and service to their communities.
  • Essay: Exploring the experiences of those who served for Canada during the First World War.
  • Personal Statement Video: Explaining the importance of learning about the First World War, how they can promote awareness in their communities, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they can contribute.
  • Resume: Highlighting relevant experiences such as volunteer work, projects, community involvement, and awards.
  • Letter of Reference: A recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or community leader.

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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 

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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 

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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