Adventure Canada Director Jason Edmunds Celebrated as Recipient of 2024’s Next Wave Leadership Award by Turning the Tide Marine Leadership Awards

Hailing from Nain, Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Jason Edmunds is an entrepreneur, director, and expedition leader at Adventure Canada who is being honoured by Turning the Tide Marine Leadership Awards as the recipient of 2024’s Next Wave Leadership award. Turning the Tide Marine Leadership Awards is an organization established to recognize and celebrate the positive change in momentum of the events, lives, and fortunes of those involved in Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine industry. This specific award was established to recognize the importance of youth to the marine sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and celebrate the young movers and shakers making waves through their commitment, leadership, and positive representation in the industry. The award is given to a young professional who has displayed great leadership qualities, has already made noteworthy contributions to the marine industry, and whose energy and commitment will inspire others to pursue careers in the marine sector.

Jason’s presence in the marine industry, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Inuit Nunangat, and beyond, has an outsized impact. Those who watch someone much like them as a fully kitted out leader of an expedition team and industry leader in his own right are inspired and motivated. As an entrepreneur, Jason founded the Nalunaiqsijiit: Inuit Cruise Training program in collaboration with the Government of Nunavut and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), a program that trains up to twelve Inuit candidates from Nunavut per cohort. The purpose of this program is to build capacity and support Inuit in preparing for work in the marine industry, particularly in the expedition cruise sector.

In addition to his work instructing the Nalunaiqsijiit program and advising on other tourism initiatives, he is an active and engaged mentor for Adventure Canada team members young and old. Jason has also been recently inducted into The Explorers Club as a member of the class of 2024, an honour which recognizes people changing the world that the world needs to know about.

“We are so proud to celebrate Jason and see his hard work, dedication, and leadership in the marine industry recognized,” says Cedar Swan, CEO of Adventure Canada. “We, along with the wider marine industry, benefit greatly from his energy, passion, and leadership. His enthusiasm for the positive potential of the marine industry is infectious, and this is what makes him such an impactful leader, with Adventure Canada and beyond."

“I am honoured and humbled to receive this award,” says Jason Edmunds. “To have your hard work and dedication recognized is always appreciated, but when it is for being a positive role model for Inuit and youth in our industry, it means something more. The leadership of youth in our province is the future of the marine industry. Drawing on our rich culture, shared heritage, and knowledge, they will—and are—taking us to new heights, addressing the most pressing challenges we face including climate change, environmental stewardship and sustainability, marine safety, human resources, market development, and reconciliation. It is a wonderful thing to be part of and I can’t wait to see where their energy and vision will take us.”

Saturday, September 28, Jason was honoured with this award at the 7^th annual Turning the Tide Award Gala celebration. Although he will not be able to attend in person, as he will be leading an expedition through Newfoundland and Labrador, his sister Ashley Edmunds will be gratefully accepting the award on his behalf. The annual Turning the Tide Award Gala celebrates, commemorates, and recognizes excellence, leadership, and dedication in Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine industry through five prestigious awards. The Gala event will shine a light on the strength and vitality of the marine sector of Newfoundland and Labrador, both past and present, in front of a dedicated group of business, industry, and community leaders.​