War Heritage Research Initiative Fund

This fund is intended to provide support to a variety of projects undertaken by the War Heritage Research Initiative (WHRI). WHRI was initiated at Royal Roads University in 2015 by Dr. Geoffrey Bird, Professor in the School of Communication and Culture. The mission of the WHRI is to commemorate and educate the public on Canada’s experiences through war and how they shape society today.

Dr. Bird has written, directed, and produced over 30 short documentary films profiling Canada’s heritage related to the World Wars, both in our country and overseas. His films feature both military and civilian stories; past films have included Japanese-Canadian internment, Indigenous experiences, and stories from graduates of Royal Roads as a naval college. Since the first WHRI film premiered in 2016, viewership has surpassed 100,000 views and now grows at 30,000 views a year. The WHRI will continue in its efforts to produce films and other forms of research that advance our understanding of this important past and its relevance to today.