Governor General of Canada extends Viceregal Patronage to the Students on Ice Foundation
Governor General of Canada extends Viceregal Patronage to the Students on Ice Foundation
The Students on Ice Foundation (SOI) is very proud to share that they have been granted Viceregal Patronage from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. The SOI Foundation and Her Excellency have a long and wonderful history, and now look forward to this exciting new relationship on their journey and mission ahead.
The SOI Foundation has a deep belief that connecting youth to nature, knowledge, mentors, resources, and providing them with meaningful opportunities, helps to shape them as global citizens and leaders for a healthy and sustainable future.
In 1999, Mary Simon, at the time Canada’s Circumpolar Ambassador, helped SOI Founder Geoff Green to launch Students on Ice and she has been an unwavering supporter and advisor ever since. The Governor General and her husband, Whit Fraser, have participated on numerous SOI Arctic expeditions, sharing their knowledge, passion and remarkable life experiences with thousands of youth from across Canada and around the World. In doing so, they have helped youth to gain a deeper understanding and connection with the land, culture, history and the challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian Arctic. They have helped to send off hundreds of students and staff on SOI journeys and then have welcomed them home, eager to hear about their diverse and transformative experiences. Her Excellency was also a participant on the historic Canada C3 expedition in 2017 led by the SOI Foundation. Now in 2022, they honour the SOI Foundation and all present and future SOI alumni with their continued support in the form of Viceregal Patronage.
“Having Mary Simon as the Governor General of Canada is so meaningful for our country from coast to coast to coast. We look forward to supporting Her Excellency with her ongoing priorities to foster reconciliation, education and mental health. We are extremely grateful for the support that she has never hesitated to provide and so fortunate to call Her Excellency an advisor, ambassador, alumna and friend.”
– Geoff Green C.M. – Founder, Students on Ice Foundation
About the Students on Ice Foundation:
Now in its 3rd decade, SOI is recognized globally for delivering life-changing youth expeditions in the Polar Regions. Planet Earth is facing unprecedented challenges, making youth voices, ideas, and action more important than ever. Through educational expeditions, cross-cultural experiences, science and outreach initiatives, SOI inspires new perspectives, ideas, connections and collaborative solutions. The outcome is a global network that takes action and contributes to building healthy communities and a sustainable future.
About SOI – https://66e4be7a03.nxcli.io/about/ & https://issuu.com/studentsonice/docs/20yearsofsoi
About the Governor General of Canada – https://www.gg.ca/
Contact: geoff@soifoundation.org or 1-613-799-6094