Courtney Milne S.O.M. posthumous LLD honoris causa Throughout his personal and professional life, Courtney Milne served as an advocate for Saskatchewan, drawing attention to the beauty of the prairie landscape and how the land is a powerful influence on the human spirit.

 A world renowned landscape photographer, Mr. Milne’s work was published in thirteen books and more than 200 essays on the art of photography. His artistic vision was “to reveal life’s unfolding mystery ~~ not to try to solve it.” He celebrated the distinctive nature of the prairie in his earliest work, then spent decades photographing sacred places around the globe. In the last ten years of his life he returned to focus once again on his beloved prairie, and in particular on one pool of water on his acreage near Saskatoon. His passion for life and for his work was palpable, and he lived his belief that “the presence of our being is the greatest gift we can give.” He was a writer, a teacher and an inspirational speaker, presenting hundreds of photography seminars and inspirational multi-media performances around the world.

Selections from Mr. Milne’s professional library of 550,000 images have been featured in international presentations such as UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, the United Nations Earth Summit and travelling exhibit, To Care for the Earth, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. He contributed images to many philanthropic endeavours including the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Canadian Save the Children, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. His work is featured in museums and galleries across Canada.

His book, Saskatchewan, The Luminous Landscape was presented to the Queen and other dignitaries during the province’s centennial celebrations. Images from the book were also donated to the Saskatchewan Encyclopedia Centennial project and the Lieutenant Governor’s Centennial Gala.

Mr. Milne also created and gifted a permanent online collection of iconic Saskatchewan landscape images titled Coolscapes, as an education tool for the schools of the province.

Mr. Milne received many awards including the Gold Medal for Distinction in Canadian Photography, two Agfa Special Achievement Awards, and a Honourary Master of Arts from the Professional Photographers of Canada. In 2005 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Regina, the Lieutenant Governor’s Centennial Arts Pin, and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan. In 2009 he was named as one of 100 Alumni of Influence by the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan.