MERCHANT NAVY COMMEMORATIVE

THEME PROJECT (MNCTP)

NEWS RELEASE
MR. DOUGLAS J. CARDINAL APPOINTED TO THE
MNCTP BOARD OF HONORARY GOVERNORS
OTTAWA, ON, CANADA
JUNE 21, 2016
Today Mr. Stphane Ouellette, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy
Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP),
appointed Mr. Douglas Cardinal O.C., Ph.D.
(h.c.), B.Arch, O.A.A., A.A.A., S.A.A.,
A.I.B.C., A.I.A., NCARB, R.C.A.A.,
F.R.A.I.C., F.R.I.A.S., F.R.S.C., President,
Douglas Cardinal Architect Inc., to the
Board of Honorary Governors of the
MNCTP.
Mr. Cardinal is a world renowned Canadian
architect based in Ottawa, Canada.
(From left: Mr. Douglas Cardinal, and Mr. Mark
Mr. Cardinal is famous for his flowing
ONeill, President, Canadian Museum of History,
laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in
architecture marked with smooth lines and
influenced by his Aboriginal heritage as well Ottawa, in 2014)
as European Expressionist architecture. Mr. Cardinal is perhaps best known for his
designs of the Canadian Museum of History, located in Gatineau, Quebec (1989), and
the National Museum of the American Indian, located in Washington, D.C. (1998).
As a Canadian icon, personal friend, and colleague, Mr. Cardinal has distinguished
himself as a great human being dedicated to supporting native rights and improving their
communities said Mr. Ouellette. Mr. Cardinal also plays an important role in honouring
our Aboriginal Veterans by not only attending our sacred wreath laying ceremonies, but
also strongly entrenching their inherent cultural values into our day-to-day community
living.
Mr. Cardinal is also an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the most prestigious
awards given to a Canadian. He was also awarded the declaration of being World
Master of Contemporary Architecture by the International Association of Architects.
For the last decade, I have supported the cause of the Canadian, Allied Merchant Navy,
and American Merchant Marine, spearheaded by Mr. Ouellette, said Mr. Cardinal.
Given that Aboriginal Veterans are also perhaps as marginalized as their fellow men
and women of the merchant marine, Mr. Ouellette ensures that all veterans groups are
included in the Merchant Navy Day ceremonies that take place at the National War
Memorial in Ottawa, on or around September 3. And this is certainly a good way to
honor my ancestors, not only from WWI and WWII, but our native warriors that have
fought for freedom from time immemorial.

-2-

Mr. Cardinal and Mr. Ouellette are also collaborating on an initiative to promote the
Sydney Harbour Fortifications, in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This is part of the
Allied Merchant Navy Promotion and Commemorative Celebrations (AMNPCC), a global
maritime promotion integration strategy (GMPIS) designed to unite nations of the world
under common veterans and maritime themes.
In addition, upon recommendation by Mr. Ouellette to Mr. Tony Patrick Trigiani,
President, Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation (Mother Canada),
Mr. Cardinal was appointed as an Honorary Patron to the foundation.
Mr. Tony Trigiani is a distinguished Canadian citizen and patriot in his own right,
fervently dedicated to preserving the heroism and sacrifices of our servicemen and
women, said Mr. Ouellette. In my many encounters, rarely have I seen such passion,
commitment, and dedication to honoring and preserving the memory of our fallen. And I
consider it a great privilege to also be an Honorary Patron to the foundation. I thank
Mr. Trigiani wholeheartedly for giving me that opportunity.
Mr. Trigiani established the Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation to honour
over 114,000 Canadians and Newfoundland soldiers that have given their lives overseas
in defence of this great nation. Mr. Trigiani believes that we must forever remember and
honour the contributions of our Aboriginal Veterans, and all those that fought and died
for our freedomWherever They May Lie.
For more information on the Allied Merchant Navies, the Never Forgotten National
Memorial (Mother Canada) initiative, or on Mr. Douglas Cardinal, please select:

www.alliedmerchantnavy.com
www.nfnm.ca
www.djcarchitect.com

Contact Information:

Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP)

Mr. Stphane Ouellette
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 1-613-716-4137
E-mail: alliedmerchantnavy@bell.net
Website: www.alliedmerchantnavy.com

Mr. Douglas J. Cardinal

President
Douglas J. Cardinal Architect Inc.
Tel: 1-613-440-2262
E-mail: d.cardinal@djcarchitect.com
Website: www.djcarchitect.com

Mr. Tony Trigiani

President
Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation
Tel: 1-416-253-1917
E-mail: tptrigiani@norstarcorp.com
Website: www.nfnm.ca