Nathan Tidridge MSM FRCGS
Since 2004, Nathan has been a teacher at Waterdown District High School, where he teaches Civics, Treaty Studies, and Canadian and World History.
He has authored seven books and chapters, along with numerous articles exploring the Crown in Canada—particularly its relationships with Indigenous Peoples—as well as Canadian identity and local history. One of his most significant works, The Queen at the Council Fire: The Treaty of Niagara, Reconciliation and the Dignified Crown in Canada, was launched by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Nathan’s writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Maclean's Magazine, and The Public Policy & Governance Review, and he has been featured on various television and radio programs.
Nathan currently serves as Vice President of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada (2005–present), as a member of the Flamborough Community Council, and as a Keeper of the Chapel Royal Tobacco Beds. He has contributed to numerous boards and committees, including the Moccasin Identifier (2025-present), Flamborough Heritage Society (2005–present), Ontario Heritage Trust (2015–2021, Chair of the Heritage Programs Committee from 2017–2021), the Chapel Royal Committee at Massey College (2015–2021), Magna Carta Canada Education Committee (2015), and the Flamborough Grant of Arms Committee (2009–2011).
He has authored seven books and chapters, along with numerous articles exploring the Crown in Canada—particularly its relationships with Indigenous Peoples—as well as Canadian identity and local history. One of his most significant works, The Queen at the Council Fire: The Treaty of Niagara, Reconciliation and the Dignified Crown in Canada, was launched by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Nathan’s writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Maclean's Magazine, and The Public Policy & Governance Review, and he has been featured on various television and radio programs.
Nathan currently serves as Vice President of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada (2005–present), as a member of the Flamborough Community Council, and as a Keeper of the Chapel Royal Tobacco Beds. He has contributed to numerous boards and committees, including the Moccasin Identifier (2025-present), Flamborough Heritage Society (2005–present), Ontario Heritage Trust (2015–2021, Chair of the Heritage Programs Committee from 2017–2021), the Chapel Royal Committee at Massey College (2015–2021), Magna Carta Canada Education Committee (2015), and the Flamborough Grant of Arms Committee (2009–2011).
Nathan Tidridge was present at the historic meeting between HM King Charles III and a delegation from the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga Nation) on July 4th, 2023.
Nathan Tidridge has dedicated himself to promoting the role of the Crown in our country’s history.
Through his work, he has taught a new generation of students about Canadian politics, our constitutional monarchy and civics.
He has also deepened our understanding of the complex relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Crown,
thereby bringing attention to the important issue of reconciliation.
Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) Citation
From 2010 to 2013, Nathan lobbied the Ontario Ministry of Education to address significant errors in the province’s Civics curriculum. His article, Why Ontario Shouldn’t Ditch High School Civics Classes, published in Maclean's Magazine, played a role in the government's decision to retain the course. In recognition of his efforts, he received the 2013 Canadian Royal Heritage Award.
In collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Nathan chaired a committee that led to the dedication of the 55-acre Souharissen Natural Area in 2014. The ceremony was conducted by the Honourable David C. Onley, 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, alongside Gimaa Bryan Laforme and the Council of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. The area continues to serve as a symbol of reconciliation and a living expression of the community’s Treaty relationship with the Mississauga Nation.
Nathan was proud to be part of a delegation from the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga Nation) that visited the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man from July 1–8, 2023. During this historic visit, the delegation met with King Charles III at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and presented him with a replica of the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship. The King directed that the wampum be displayed at his Chapel Royal at Massey College in Toronto, where it remains to this day.
Nathan also participated in a delegation from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation that traveled to London from May 3–8, 2025. During their visit, the delegation met with His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace, along with several other dignitaries throughout London. In an audience with the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, Gimaa Kwe Claire Sault was presented with Chapel Royal Tobacco by His Royal Highness.
Nathan lives in Waterdown, Ontario, with his wife Christine and their daughters Sophie, Elyse, and Maya. He is known locally as “Waterdown’s flag aficionado.”
Honours and Awards
In collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Nathan chaired a committee that led to the dedication of the 55-acre Souharissen Natural Area in 2014. The ceremony was conducted by the Honourable David C. Onley, 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, alongside Gimaa Bryan Laforme and the Council of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. The area continues to serve as a symbol of reconciliation and a living expression of the community’s Treaty relationship with the Mississauga Nation.
Nathan was proud to be part of a delegation from the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga Nation) that visited the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man from July 1–8, 2023. During this historic visit, the delegation met with King Charles III at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and presented him with a replica of the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship. The King directed that the wampum be displayed at his Chapel Royal at Massey College in Toronto, where it remains to this day.
Nathan also participated in a delegation from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation that traveled to London from May 3–8, 2025. During their visit, the delegation met with His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace, along with several other dignitaries throughout London. In an audience with the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, Gimaa Kwe Claire Sault was presented with Chapel Royal Tobacco by His Royal Highness.
Nathan lives in Waterdown, Ontario, with his wife Christine and their daughters Sophie, Elyse, and Maya. He is known locally as “Waterdown’s flag aficionado.”
Honours and Awards
- Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
- Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2008 Teacher of the Year)
- Charles Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching (2011)
- Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (presented by HRH Prince of Wales, 2012)
- Sharon Enkin Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education (2014)
- Presented one of fifty specially commissioned Canadian Flags by the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper for “tremendous contributions to our great country" (2015)
- Flamborough-Glanbrook Nation Builder's Award (2017)
- First Honorary Fellow of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada (2018)
- OHASSTA Alan Skeoch Teaching Award (2018)
- Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee: Education in Heritage Award (2018)
- Meritorious Service Medal, Civil Division (2018)
- Mississaugas of the Credit Historical Gathering Award (2020)
- Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
- Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell's Challenge Coin (2021)
- Elected Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society (2022)
- Paul Harris Fellowship from both the Flamborough AM & Waterdown Rotary Clubs (2022)
- Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia, 2023)
- King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)
Previous Speaking Engagements, Media Appearances, and published articles :
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Conferences
- 7th Annual Historical Gathering and Cultural Series Showcasing the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (Lecture: The Crown and Reconciliation), Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (February 15th, 2017)
- 8th Annual Historical Gathering and Cultural Series Showcasing the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (Lecture: The Souharissen Natural Area: Restoring Indigenous Voice in Suburbia), Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (February 14th, 2018)
- ALOC/Government of Ontario Educational 2016 Conference (Lecture: "The Crown as a Conduit of Reconciliation"), Association of Law Officers of the Crown (November 9th, 2016)
- Canadian Association of School System Administrators 2016 Conference (Lecture: "Creating a Culture of Caring Around Reconciliation as a Non-Indigenous Teacher"), Canadian Association of System Administrators (July 9th, 2016)
- Celebrating Resilience - Moving Forward (Speaker), Champions for Change Indigenous Education Conference, Six Nations Polytechnic (November 3rd, 2016)
- Community Lecture Series - What is Reconciliation? (Opening Lecture: "The Crown as a Conduit of Reconciliation"), Friends and Neighbours of the Woodland Cultural Centre & Wilfrid Laurier University (October 19th, 2016)
- The Crown in Canada: A Diamond Jubilee Assessment Conference (Discussant), Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina (October 28th, 2012)
- The Crown in the 21st Century: Deference or Drift? (Panelist with "Aboriginal Peoples and the Honour of the Crown: The Implications for Canada Today"), Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada (January 16th, 2016)
- Sask LEADS Annual Conference (Presentation: Teaching as Treaty: What a school board should know about teaching Indigenous Studies as a non-Indigenous Instructor), League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents (March 6th, 2017)
- 2017 Sources of Knowledge Forum: Accounting for the Past, Envisioning the Future: a Seven Generations–Based Framework for the Bruce Peninsula (Presentation: Decolonizing the Crown in Canada), Sources of Knowledge Forum (May 6th, 2017)
- Welcome Reception of The Canadian History of Education Association's 19th Biennial Conference: Teaching Nation?: Histories of Education and the Politics of Commemoration (Member of feature panel "The Politics of Commemoration"), Canadian History of Education Association (October 27th, 2016)
Writing about the Crown and Indigenous Issues
Letter to the Editor "It's a Canadian Monarchy, not UK" - Hamilton Spectator, 2009
Op Ed piece on the role of the Crown in Canada - Hamilton Spectator, July 2010
This Jubilee day is also a sad anniversary: George VI was a good king and important to Canada - Hamilton Spectator, Feb 6th, 2012
Prince Edward Augustus: Father of the Canadian Crown - Prince Arthur Herald, June 29th, 2013
Guest Blog: Honourable Effort at Queen's Park - The Agenda with Steve Paikin, September 16th, 2013
The Royal and Viceregal Fort at York - Fife and Drum (The Newsletter of The Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common), Oct 2013
Once a weapon, education is now key to reconciliation - Op-Ed for CBC Aboriginal, June 7th, 2015
Magna Carta: A Guide for Educators - LawNow Magazine, November 4th, 2015
The key role of The Queen and her representatives in Reconciliation - The Public Policy & Governance Review, University of Toronto - March 19th, 2016
Why It's Time to Define the Crown's Role With First Nations - Maclean's Magazine, June 21st, 2016
Ontario may ditch high school civics classes. That's a mistake - Maclean's Magazine, November 1st, 2016
It’s time to embrace the ‘Mother of Confederation’ - Maclean's Magazine, March 28th, 2017
Abolishing monarchy in Canada will complete colonization of Indigenous people - Toronto Star, February 11th, 2020
Indigenous people teach the importance of ceremony - Toronto Star, August 23rd, 2020