Elaine is the founder and Director of the Canadian Language Museum (CLM). She brings to her work at the CLM a PhD in linguistics, a master of art in art history, and strong experience in arts administration and curatorial work. Elaine taught linguistics at the University of Toronto for over twenty years. She has lived in central, western, and northern Canada, and is dedicated to promoting and protecting this country’s rich language heritage.
The CLM has a strong commitment to raising awareness about Indigenous languages and participating in Reconciliation. Elaine has supervised the creation of several travelling exhibits about Indigenous languages, including “Speaking the Inuit Way.”
Elaine is the recipient of the 2019 National Achievement Award from the Canadian Linguistic Association, a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award in 2023, and a Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2024 for her work with the CLM.