At the 2026 Ottawa Regional Heritage Fair – to mark this year's bicentennial – the Historical Society of Ottawa, founder and patron of the ORHF, will present the “HSO Bytown200 Award” to the top student project specifically pertaining to Bytown, the Rideau Canal, or the impacts of Bytown and/or the Rideau Canal on the Indigenous people for whom the Ottawa area has been their traditional home.

Each year we also present the “HSO Indigenous Sacred Chaudiere Falls Award” for a student project that reflects and celebrates Indigenous history, culture and traditions in the Ottawa region, or that looks at the impact of settler colonial policies on Indigenous peoples of the Ottawa region.

Both awards consist of a certificate and $300. The ORHF will take place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Canadian Museum of History.

Educators interested in enhancing their students knowledge of local Ottawa area history should explore the opportunities of our HSO Resource List for Schools as well as our Student Corner HSO Blog.

Check out the stories we've gathered about Bytown and the Rideau Canal to help celebrate the Bytown Bicentennial.