Joni Mitchell receives Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s gold medal

By: Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press Posted:

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Joni Mitchell has received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's gold medal for her cultural contributions, including promoting Canada to the rest of the world.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/07/2025 (459 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Joni Mitchell has received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s gold medal for her cultural contributions, including promoting Canada to the rest of the world.

The society says the singer-songwriter received the award at a small ceremony near her summer home in British Columbia.

CEO John Geiger says Mitchell’s music “has painted emotional landscapes for generations” and her work speaks to the soul of Canada.

Joni Mitchell, seen in this undated handout photo, has received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's gold medal for her cultural contributions, including promoting Canada to the rest of the world. The society says the singer-songwriter received the award at a small ceremony near her summer home in British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - David Gray, RCGS (Mandatory Credit)
Joni Mitchell, seen in this undated handout photo, has received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's gold medal for her cultural contributions, including promoting Canada to the rest of the world. The society says the singer-songwriter received the award at a small ceremony near her summer home in British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - David Gray, RCGS (Mandatory Credit)

The society points to Mitchell’s 1971 song “A Case of You,” which includes the lyrics “I drew a map of Canada / Oh Canada.”

Previous recipients of the medal include Mitchell’s contemporary Gordon Lightfoot, filmmaker James Cameron and painter Robert Bateman.

The society says the award was created to recognize people for “a particular achievement” in the field of geography or a significant national or international event.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.

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