– Shelagh Rogers to explore the power of narrative and active listening in lecture titled “Shut Up and Listen: Changing Our Story” –

September 21, 2022 (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – One of Canada’s most esteemed broadcast-journalists will give her take on the state of Canadian Confederation on October 13 as the recipient of the 2022 Symons Medal.

Earlier this year, Confederation Centre of the Arts announced that Shelagh Rogers, OC will be the twenty-second recipient of the prestigious honour. Rogers is a veteran broadcast-journalist at CBC, most recently as the host and a producer of The Next Chapter, an award-winning program devoted to writing in Canada. Over her illustrious career, she has hosted other national radio programs such as This Morning, The Arts Tonight, and Sounds Like Canada. Rogers is a vocal advocate for mental healthcare, adult literacy, and for reckoning with the truth of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The Symons Medal recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to Canadian life. Held annually, the medal ceremony and its associated lecture offer a national platform for an eminent Canadian to discuss the nation’s current state, shared histories, and prospects using themes related to their professional pursuits.

The title of this year’s lecture is “Shut Up and Listen: Changing Our Story”. Rogers will share lessons she has learned from others, and from her own experience as an honorary witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as she explores the importance of listening, the power of narrative, and its impact on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The lecture will feel like one of the broadcaster’s famous radio programs, featuring soundbites from discussions with guests like authors Richard Wagamese and Chelsea Vowel; Mike Degagné, President and CEO of Indspire; and the Honourable Murray Sinclair, a fellow Symons Medallist.

Rogers follows a formidable line of Symons Medallists, which also includes the Honourable Louise Arbour, Dr. David Suzuki, the Honourable Bob Rae, and Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon.

“Shelagh Rogers has done a tremendous job of using her national platform to share stories from diverse voices,” says Robert Sear, chair of the board of Confederation Centre of the Arts, and chair of the Symons Medal Committee. “The combination of her knowledge of writing in Canada and personal experience with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will make this Symons Medal Lecture essential listening.”

The 2022 Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture will take place at Confederation Centre of the Arts in the Sobey Family Theatre on Thursday, October 13 at 1 p.m. and will also be livestreamed on the Centre’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

A limited number of tickets were made available in May, and all remaining seats are now being released. Centre Members can book tickets now. To become a member and take advantage of priority ticket booking, visit confederationcentre.com/membership. Tickets will open to the general public on Thursday, September 22 and can be booked online at confederationcentre.com or through the box office at 1-800-565-0278.

There is no cost to attend the ceremony but donations can be made to the Symons Trust Endowment Fund of the Confederation Centre of the Arts Foundation. Patrons must have a ticket to enter and quantities are limited.

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Media Contact: Emily McMahon, Communications Manager, Confederation Centre of the Arts
[email protected] | 902-628-6135