J.W. Grant MacEwan
(1902- 2000)
Well before ecology had become a household word, J.W Grant MacEwan, popular historian of the West, was using his voice and his pen as an environmental advocate. In many of his 2500 newspaper columns, 5,000 speeches, and later in his 1966 book, Entrusted to My Care, he sounds a strong note of caution about issues ranging from air pollution to depletion of soils, from forest protection to petroleum and mineral extraction.
MacEwan was also an ardent naturalist and outdoors enthusiast. In his latter years he sought to describe a spiritual attitude that integrated reverence for God, humanity and nature.
MacEwan was born in Manitoba but his family moved to the Melfort district of Saskatchewan in 1915. He obtained an agriculture degree at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph and a Masters' degree from the University of Iowa.
He came to the University of Saskatchewan in 1928 as Professor of animal science. He later became head of the School of Agriculture. He was highly regarded for his dedicated work with farmers, as a livestock judge, and as a speaker and demonstrator of farming innovations. During the drought of the 1930s, he noticed cattle eating the hardy Russian thistle weed, researched the matter, and then used media to publicize this drought survival strategy throughout the province.
In 1946, MacEwan became Dean of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba and in 1951 moved to Calgary where he became Alderman and Mayor, a member of the Legislature, and a wildly popular Lieutenant Governor. In the latter roles, he advocated progressive resource conservation measure and restoration activities like tree planting.
Along the way, MacEwan began writing history and his colorful prose made him a best-selling author with over 50 titles to his credit.
The biography Grant MacEwan-No Ordinary Man, by R.H. (Rusty) Macdonald, describes his conservation ethic and legendary frugality. At the 1974 ceremony thanking him for his two terms as Lieutenant Governor, the government presented him with a large luxury car. He whispered to his wife Phyllis, "whoever suggested that gift doesn't know me." The next day, he traded it back to the supplier for a smaller, less showy model that would use less gas and directed that the balance be given back to the Alberta Treasury.
Even as Lieutenant Governor, he would frequently slip off into the rugged foothill country and backpack on his own. He also built a simple log cabin, like the pioneers - with no nails and no power saw - where he could enjoy 'kinship with nature'.
In the 1950s, he decided to become a vegetarian as part of his respect for fellow creatures, not a small step for someone who's initial career was teaching about raising animals for meat and who lived in the public eye in the beef capital of Canada.
He developed a great respect for native elders and their reverential attitude to nature. He also wrote his own creed, which reflects his values of being an integral part of nature, fundamentally dependent on it, and responsible to establish a helpful, caring, sustainable relationship with it.
MacEwan was awarded honourary doctorate degrees from six universities. He also received the Order of Canada (1975) and the Governor General's Conservation Award (1985). Among many other services reflecting his values, he was North American Chancellor of the International Society for Animal Rights and headed a royal commission on a grasslands national park.
Grant MacEwan typified the best of the West and helped build its collective identity. However, along side all the accomplishments as an agricultural scientist, professor, historian, politician and statesman, MacEwan's deep affection for nature and his search to define a new relationship to it will remain a big part of his legacy.
For more information visit this Grant MacEwan College webpage.