Jett Britnell has just learned that all three of his nominations to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s College of Fellows for 2021 were successful. While it was an honour and privilege for him to nominate these three remarkable people to the RCGS College of Fellows, his nominations are insufficient, as The RCGS membership committee has to review and approve all three nominees’ accomplishments.
RCGS Fellows are individuals who have distinguished themselves by directly contributing to scientific knowledge in the field of geography, geographical exploration, or allied sciences (i.e., archaeology, atmospheric sciences, marine biology, zoology, etc.). Such accomplishments usually are evidenced by published books, scientific publications or major mainstream media coverage documenting fieldwork or exploration. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is dedicated to promoting and enhancing public awareness for Canadian geography, and to strengthening the bond between Canadians and their diverse and vast geographical heritage.
As is the custom, the following three RCGS Fellow-elects, along with others, will be formally admitted into the fellowship at this year’s RCGS Annual General Meeting to be held virtually on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021.
Simon Morris
A world-renowned Canadian sculptor, Simon Morris, is the creator of two nine-foot-tall underwater bronze mermaids, “The Emerald Princess” which was placed underwater in Mermaid Cove, in Saltery Bay near Powell River, British Columbia, and “Amphitrite” which was placed underwater at Sunset House Grand Cayman, as well as “The Guardian of the Reef” placed underwater at Divetech resort in West Bay, Grand Cayman. In 2020, Simon was named a Signature Member of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (the highest level), a global organization of 500 wildlife artists dedicated to the use of their art to raise funds for environmental organizations. Simon is also an avid scuba diver who enjoys exploring British Columbia’s emerald sea depths. http://www.sculptorsimonmorris.com
Roy Henry Vickers
Canadian Master Artist Roy Henry Vickers is best known around the world for his limited edition prints. He is also an accomplished carver, design advisor of prestigious public spaces, a sought-after keynote speaker, and publisher and author of several successful books. In addition, he is a recognized leader in the First Nations community, and a tireless spokesperson for recovery from addictions and abuse. Roy has received many awards and honours for his art and community involvement. Among them are a hereditary chieftainship and several hereditary names he has received from Northwest Coast First Nations. In 1994, Maclean’s magazine included Roy as the first artist ever in its Annual Honour Roll of Extraordinary Canadian Achievers: https://royhenryvickers.com
Stuart Seldon
Stuart Seldon is a professional underwater photographer and shipwreck diver. Although he downplays his numerous accomplishments, Stuart is a local diving legend in Tobermory who has explored and photographed for posterity just about every local shipwreck, along with many others in the Great Lakes region. It was back in 1974 when he first began to explore and ultimately photograph the numerous historic shipwrecks to be found in Lake Huron’s Bruce Peninsula, near Tobermory, Ontario. He immediately fell in love with scuba diving, along with the township and its people. Stuart has also authored stories for scuba diving magazines about Ontario’s shipwrecks, thus making them better known to both Canadians, and the world. Over the past decade Stuart has also published for sale an annual calendar called “Reefs and Wrecks!” http://www.wetspotimages.com
Jett Britnell himself is a fellow member at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and is a writer and underwater photographer.
