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Chemainus teacher named finalist for Governor General award

Former Chemainus Secondary School teacher Joy Wilson was named one of 16 finalists for the 2026 Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching, recognizing her classroom project exploring Japanese Canadian history.
The project, developed in partnership with the Chemainus Valley Historical Society and Chemainus Valley Museum, centered on the 'None Came Back' exhibit documenting Japanese Canadian families displaced from Chemainus during the Second World War.
Utilizing resources from the Landscapes of Injustice project, students created diverse artifacts including a dog collar and baby crib to empathize with displaced families' experiences.
Wilson transitioned to teaching Grade 9 through 12 in Naujaat, an Inuit community on the Arctic Circle, after being hired within 12 hours of applying during spring break.
Visiting the former Lemon Creek internment site served as a 'full circle' moment for Wilson, who emphasizes that authentic educators open to learning with students create the most powerful teaching experiences.

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