About the Canadian Remembrance and Recovery Project

The Canadian Remembrance and Recovery Project (CRRP) is a national initiative focused on the recovery, identification, and commemoration of Canada’s missing-in-action military service personnel (MIA-MSP) from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There are 27,000 MIA-MSP. Acadia University and the Dean of Arts Office are delighted to support the Canadian Remembrance and Recovery Project. This project began in 2023 and was initially launched on November 5, 2024, as the Acadia University Recovery Program. The project was renamed in September 2025 to reflect its national scope and mission. An interdisciplinary team leads this project.

Interdisciplinary Leadership Team

Dr. Aaron Taylor

Established archeologist with extensive experience recovering fallen soldiers in Austria, France, and Belgium; and Adjunct Professor, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Dr. Kim Bergeron

Multidisciplinary research with expertise in leading social innovation and applied research projects to identify evidence-formed practices and policies to influence structural and systemic barriers. She is also an Assistant Professor, Continuing Adjunct at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

June MacDonald-Jenkins

An experienced social science researcher and consultant. She has partnered with specialists in Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), contributing to efforts aimed at resolving cold cases involving missing persons and unidentified human remains.

 

Project Focus

  • To develop and implement an active recovery program that conducts historical and investigative research and contributes to recovery, identification and repatriation/commemoration by collaborating nationally and internationally with interested stakeholders.
  • To provide field school opportunities to post-secondary students and interested volunteers to be part of an active recovery program.
  • To promote technological advancements in forensic genetic genealogy, anthropology, and archeology to recover, identify, and commemorate Canadian MIA military service personnel.
  • To influence policy change in Canada to shift the Canadian Casualty Identification Program from a passive to an active program.
  • To engage and work collaboratively with interested parties across Canada and internationally to achieve our purpose.

Principles that Guide Our Work

  1. Equity in Death: Model a fair and just process for researching the 27,000 MIA military service personnel to complete their life stories.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approach: Engage expertise from multiple disciplines (e.g., social scientists, historians, forensic genetic genealogy, anthropology, archeology and social innovators) to work in a coordinated and coherent way.
  3. Collaborate and Coordinate with institutions and people nationally and internationally with the power and knowledge to develop and implement an active recovery program in Canada.
  4. Innovate: Make positive change by introducing new ideas and processes.

Accomplishments

  • WWII Canadian Missing-in-Action (MIA) Aircrew Database- a national initiative dedicated to preserving the memory of over 3,700 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel who have no known grave. This powerful digital resource invites educators, history enthusiasts, military personnel, family members of service members, social justice advocates, and members of the general public to engage in meaningful historical research and storytelling. Selecting a name helps honour their service and ensures their sacrifices are not forgotten. Explore the Database here.