What Is The Initiative?
The purpose of The Marshall McLuhan Initiative, Inc. (The Initiative) is
To honour, celebrate, and extend the life’s work of Herbert Marshall McLuhan (1911 – 1980), who grew up in Winnipeg; graduated from Gladstone and Earl Grey Schools, Kelvin Technical High School, and the University of Manitoba (Gold Medalist, Class of ’33, see left); was a devout Christian, a beloved professor of English literature, prophetic poet, satirist, and the renowned communications theorist/visionary and media guru that we recognize today.
The raison d’être of The Initiative is to promote Marshall McLuhan’s prairie (and especially Winnipeg) roots and his Christian faith. In particular, the Initiative strives to educate Winnipeggers — whom Marshall affectionately called “Winnipigeons” — about McLuhan, who was one of Canada’s greatest public intellectuals; and to celebrate his heritage with like-minded people throughout the “Global Village.”
News
Proposed Design #1 for The Centre
December 11, 2025 Midway through 2025, The Initiative commissioned Neil Minuk to draft plans for a renovation of 507 Gertrude Ave into The Marshall McLuhan Centre. Here is the plan that was submitted. With this design, we would be able to accomplish all of our aspirations for The Marshall McLuhan
The Media & the Write Competition
In this spirit, the Marshall McLuhan Initiative Inc. (“The Initiative”) is launching its inaugural “The Media and the Write” contest. The competition is open to all undergraduates at post-secondary institutions and Grade 12 students in Manitoba who wish to explore aspects of Marshall McLuhan’s thought
Unveiling of the Blue Plaque
Winnipeg Home of Marshall McLuhan Receives Historic Designation The public is cordially invited to 507 Gertrude Avenue on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m. CDT for the official unveiling of Manitoba Historical Society’s “Blue Plaque,” commemorating world-renowned Canadian media scholar, Herbert Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980). Arguably one of the greatest
Blue Plaque Unveiling in the Free Press
We are delighted to announce that unveiling of the blue plaque by The Marshall McLuhan Initiative has been featured in the Winnipeg Free Press today.
Kelvin High School Celebrates Famous Alumnus, Marshall McLuhan
What is on everyone’s mind in this, the digital and “information” age? It’s the deception of false Artificial Intelligence and its looming threat to the human race. It’s the tantalizing lure of social media and their deleterious effects on our children. It’s the explosion of information that bombards our environment with
The Pebble, 1.2 (July 2025)
The Pebble Official Occasional NewsletterofThe Marshall McLuhan Initiative, Inc. Vol. 1, Number 2, July 2025 Download the PDF NB: When this newsletter came out, the Marshall McLuhan Initiative, Inc. was abbreviated as MMI; that’s what the PDF uses. The online edition has been updated to use the new terminology. A
The Pebble, 1.1 (March 2025)
The Pebble Official Occasional NewsletterofThe Marshall McLuhan Initiative, Inc. Vol. 1, Number 1, March 2025 Download the PDF NB: When this newsletter came out, the Marshall McLuhan Initiative, Inc. was abbreviated as MMI; that’s what the PDF uses. The online edition has been updated to use the new terminology. The
Events
The Media & The Write Deadline
The Media & the Write contest invites Manitoba students to explore aspects of McLuhan’s thought.
Remembering and Extending
Come and hear who Marshall McLuhan was, why he came to be recognized as a world-class intellectual, and how he changed the way we understand media and communication October 16 at 7:00 pm, Kelvin High School
Unveiling of the Blue Plaque
Please join us for the unveiling of the Blue Plaque honouring Marshall McLuhan at 507 Gertrude Ave, 2:00 pm, or on Zoom!