Leo F. Pettipas

Leo F. Pettipas for his life-long accomplishments in the fields of anthropology and naval aviation history. A Halifax, Nova Scotia native with East Chezzetcook roots, Leo Pettipas in 1967 received an M.A. in anthropology from the University of Manitoba with a specialty in environmental archaeology. During his distinguished career he has authored over ten books and numerous articles on the archaeology and early peoples of Manitoba. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to this field, he has received the Prix Manitoba Award in 1995, an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Brandon University in 1999 and recently the naming of the Manitoba Archaeological Society Student Paper in his honor. Additionally, as an avocational historian on Canadian naval aviation, Leo has written seven books and several articles on both the history of Canadian naval aviation and on specific aircraft flown by Canadian naval aviators. The Winnipeg Chapter of the Canadian Naval Air Group (CNAG) has recognized Leo as an Honorary Historian for his exceptional publications on Canadian naval aviation. In 1986 he received national recognition as the 1986 CNAG Member of the Year. In his mid-50s Leo discovered his Acadian and Mi'kmaq heritage and earnestly began researching his roots - resulting in a superb paper on his Petitpas genealogy from the early 1600s until the present day.