There's been a bit of a debate going on in a local listserve about honouring influental folkies. They're focusing primarily on the Folk Alliance "lifetime achievement" thing. I can't off hand remember who's been "honoured" so far, but I think Pete, Woody and Ramblin' Jack are there and possibly Huddie Ledbetter. A number of folks are suggesting some Canadians warrant recognition and are throwing out potential submissions. I'm afraid my cynicism for all kinds of beauty contests and Oscar awards shows is getting in the way of any objectivity I might have, but so far the suggestions for Stan Rogers, James Keelahan, Nancy White, Gordon Lightfoot and Ian Tyson (which have all been well-received) seem a trifle silly. They're all fine roots-oriented songwriters, but hardly pioneer folk people.
Edith Fowke, Marius Barbeau, Alan Mills, Ed McCurdy, Estelle Klein, Madame Bolduc, and Helen Creighton, would be naturals, but my guess is that very few of the voters would be aware of their contributions (let alone their names)
I guess it's a kind of nostalgic popularity contest, and it makes a lot of people happy to be involved in it though. Tell you what, when they get around to honouring Sandy Paton, I'll be in the front row!

Rick