Inuk leader Mary Simon named Canada's 1st Indigenous governor general

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Former Member

Inuk leader Mary Simon named Canada's 1st Indigenous governor general

Simon appointed after Julie Payette resigned amid controversy in January

Catharine Tunney, John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Jul 06, 2021 8:16 AM ET | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago, Source - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politi...mary-simon-1.6091376

Mary Simon speaks during an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, has been named as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

nuk leader and former ambassador Mary Simon has been chosen as the next governor general — the first Indigenous person ever to be appointed to the role.

During a news conference across the river from Parliament Hill this morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the Queen has accepted his recommendation to appoint Simon — a past president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Inuit organization — as the 30th governor general.

"I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada and an important step forward on the long path towards reconciliation," said Simon from the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

"Indeed, my appointment comes at an especially reflective and dynamic time in our shared history."

Simon is an Inuk from Kuujjuaq, a village on the coast of Ungava Bay in northeastern Quebec. She was born to a local Inuk woman and a fur trader father who worked at a Hudson's Bay Company outpost.

WATCH: Mary Simon becomes Canada's first Indigenous governor general

Governor general-designate Mary Simon says she is honoured and humbled to be named to the viceregal post.

4 hours ago

1:01

Trudeau picks Mary Simon as the 30th governor general of Canada. She was the first Inuk to represent Canada as both the ambassador to Denmark and for circumpolar affairs. 1:01

Simon, who is bilingual in English and Inuktitut, attended the federal Fort Chimo day school in the Nunavik region.

Asked about her lack of fluency in French, Simon said she never had the opportunity to learn Canada's other official language while at this institution — a school that has been the subject of lawsuits over the mistreatment of students by administrators.

"I was denied the chance to learn French during my stay in the federal government day schools," she told reporters. She promised to learn the language while on the job.

Simon made her opening remarks in Inuktitut. It was a powerful moment for Natan Obed, head of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and a member of the advisory board that helped select potential candidates.

"For a long time there have been barriers in place for First Nation, Inuit and Métis in this country, whether it's because of systemic racism, whether it's the fact that Indigenous languages are not official languages and therefore First Nation, Inuit and Metis are passed over because they might not have bilingualism in English and French," he said.

Simon said that she lived a "very traditional lifestyle" growing up in a subarctic region, but she also learned from her father, a white man originally from Manitoba, about the "non-native world."

WATCH: Mary Simon talks about her childhood

Governor general-designate Mary Simon describes her early life

4 hours ago

2:41

Trudeau picks Mary Simon as the 30th governor general of Canada. She was the first Inuk to represent Canada as the ambassador to Denmark. Simon also was a host with CBC North. 2:41

"Combined, these experiences allow me to be a bridge between the different lived realities that together make up the tapestry of Canada," Simon said. "I can relate to all people no matter where they live, what they hope for or what they need to overcome."

After her schooling, Simon worked as an announcer and producer with CBC North before starting a decades-long career advocating for Indigenous rights.

She helped negotiate the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975, a landmark deal between the Cree and Inuit in Quebec's north, the provincial government and Hydro-Québec.

Trudeau has seen shortlist of governor general candidates, is expected to announce choice soon

PMO failed to check with key former employers before Payette's appointment as Governor General: sources

Widely seen as the country's "first modern treaty," the agreement saw the province acknowledge Cree and Inuit rights in the James Bay region for the first time — such as exclusive hunting, fishing and trapping rights and self-governance in some areas. It also offered financial compensation in exchange for the construction of massive new hydroelectric dams to fuel the growing province's demand for new energy sources.

Canada's 1st Arctic ambassador

Simon was subsequently elected president of Makivik Corp. in 1982, the organization created to administer the funds the Inuit received from the development on their lands. The organization now manages tens of millions of dollars worth of investments, including an ownership stake in Canadian North, a major air carrier in the Arctic.

The president of of Makivik Corp, Pita Aatami, said that in Nunavik they all know the Queen's new representative as "Mary."

"We are extremely proud of her appointment," he said in a statement.

"This is a new chapter in Canada's relationship with Inuit, First Nations, and Métis. Having an Indigenous person as the Crown's representative in Canada sends a strong message to the nation, and to the international community."

In 1986, Simon was tapped to lead the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), a group created in 1977 to represent the Inuit in all the Arctic countries. At the ICC, she championed two priorities for Indigenous Peoples of the north: protecting their way of life from environmental damage and pushing for responsible economic development on their traditional territory.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mary Simon arrive for an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

As governor general, she will serve a vital constitutional role; past governors general, most recently Michaëlle Jean, have had to adjudicate constitutional disputes. She's also no stranger to Canada's Constitution.

As an Inuit leader, she was on hand when the Constitution was repatriated in the 1980s. She was part of former prime minister Brian Mulroney's attempts to amend the Constitution as part of the Charlottetown Accord process in the early 1990s.

In 2002, former prime minister Jean Chrétien named her Canada's first Arctic ambassador, a position where Simon worked closely with the eight other circumpolar countries to bolster co-operation in the region. She also served as Canada's ambassador to Denmark.

She served two terms as the president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national Indigenous organization that works to advance Inuit rights. Her focus at the ITK was on advocating for more resources for young people in the North, and she accepted former prime minister Stephen Harper's apology for the past treatment of Indigenous peoples in the residential school system.

"Today after 154 years our country takes a historic step. I cannot think of a better person to meet the moment," said Trudeau.

"It is only by reaching out to those around us, it is only by building bridges between people in the north and south, just like in the east and west that we can truly move forward."

WATCH | Trudeau announces Mary Simon as the next governor general of Canada

Trudeau announces Mary Simon as the next governor general of Canada

4 hours ago

1:24

Trudeau picks Mary Simon as the 30th governor general of Canada. She was the first Inuk to represent Canada as both the ambassador to Denmark and for circumpolar affairs. 1:24

Her appointment comes during a time of reckoning in Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples — after radar technology discovered what's believed to be the unmarked graves of hundreds of children near former residential schools.

Crown-Indigenous relations

When asked about her unique position as the first Indigenous governor general, Simon said she doesn't see any conflict between her identity and her new role.

"Because as the Queen's representative in Canada, I am very concerned about the circumstances that led to some of the events that we are seeing today. I do understand as an Indigenous person that there is pain and suffering across our nation," she said.

"When I was asked whether I would take on this important role, I was very excited and I felt that this was a position that would help Canadians together with Indigenous Peoples."

Monica Ell-Kanayuk, the president of the ICC, said Simon already has experience representing the Crown.

"As Canada's former ambassador to the Arctic, and ambassador to Denmark, our new governor general has experience acting on behalf of the Crown and understands the challenges faced by Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples in Canada," she said in a statement.

"Canada has appointed a skilled diplomat to a position that can contribute to the reconciliation process Canada is engaged in."

Obed said Indigenous people have a complex attitude toward the institution of the governor general's office.

"There have been conversations over the past two decades about whether or not Canada is ready for an Indigenous governor general and whether that would be appropriate," he said.

"So it is a longstanding political conversation. Absolutely, it's not black or white. Many Indigenous people have negative feelings toward that institution, but that's not all Indigenous people."

The Native Women's Association of Canada congratulated Simon but said she "is being asked to serve the senior role in what is still a colonial system of governance."

"To achieve true reconciliation, the federal government must re-examine its appointments of ministers to lead departments that have a profound effect on Indigenous lives – the departments of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services," said the group in a statement.

"It is time that those two ministries are led by Indigenous people. It is time for the government to get out of the way and to allow Indigenous people to manage their own affairs."

Trudeau criticized for his vetting of Payette

The appointment comes more than five months after Julie Payette resigned from the post after a scathing external review found she had presided over a "toxic" and "poisoned" workplace at Rideau Hall, with episodes of "yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliations."

The third-party review gathered testimony from more than 90 people and was triggered by a CBC News story about alleged mistreatment of staff by Payette and her second-in-command, who also later resigned. Payette has said she takes workplace harassment seriously.

Payette offered her congratulations and support to Simon today, tweeting that she is "at her disposal" while she transitions into the new role.

Besides being the Queen's representative in Canada, the governor general also serves as commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces and represents Canada at events, ceremonies and official visits at home and abroad.

Julie Payette resigned from her post as governor general in a cloud of controversy on Jan. 21. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

One of the governor general's most important responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a stable government in place that has the confidence of a functioning Parliament.

Simon said she has not talked to the prime minister about a looming election.

The governor general's other duties include:

Presiding over the swearing-in of the prime minister, the chief justice of Canada and cabinet ministers.
Summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament.
Delivering the speech from the throne and giving royal assent to acts of Parliament.
Signing official documents and meeting regularly with the prime minister.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole applauded Simon on her appointment.

"This is an important day for both our country as a whole and particularly Indigenous peoples," he said in a statement.

"The role of governor general is important in unifying our country and bringing Canadians together. I wish her well in this role."

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also welcomed Simon's appointment.

"She has had an impressive career and continues to break down barriers as the first Indigenous and first Inuk governor general," he tweeted.

"We also hope that today marks a new era for the hard-working staff who support the Governor General. "

After critics accused him of failing to properly vet Payette, the prime minister launched a new advisory board — chaired by Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and the country's top bureaucrat, interim Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette — to find a new governor general.

Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser leave after an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, has been named as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The board drafted a short list of candidates for Trudeau to consider.

Opposition parties had questioned Trudeau's decision to not use former prime minister Stephen Harper's advisory committee process to suggest suitable candidates and suggested Trudeau got swept up in the celebrity status of Payette, a former astronaut.

Since Payette's resignation, Supreme Court Justice Richard Wagner has been juggling his top court duties with serving as acting governor general.

It's not clear yet when Simon will officially take over the role.

With files from Ashley Burke

Replies sorted oldest to newest

MitwahSenior Member

Why does she want to be the Queen's representative after all they have done to her people?

7/6/214:47 PM

cainTired old hippie

Maybe she can show the Queen how things get done the humane way.

7/6/216:39 PM

Former Member

Bill Curry and Menaka Raman-Wilms, Ottawa, Published July 6, 2021 Updated 15 hours ago, Source - https://www.theglobeandmail.co...career-to-reshaping/

Governor General designate Mary Simon pose for a portrait July 6, 2021 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. -- Dave Chan/The Globe and Mail

Mary Simon, representing Inuit in Canada, spoke from the floor of the House of Commons to welcome the federal government’s historic 2008 apology to former students of residential schools.

She began in Inuktitut, as a way of showing the Inuit culture remains strong, and said the apology filled her with hope.

“Let us not be lulled into an impression that when the sun rises tomorrow morning, the pain and scars will miraculously be gone. They will not,” she said. “But a new day has dawned, a new day heralded by a commitment to reconciliation and building a new relationship with Inuit, Métis and First Nations.”

Now, 13 years later, as the discovery of unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools generates a new awareness of this dark chapter of the country’s past, Ms. Simon has been named as Canada’s governor-general, the first Indigenous person to hold the role.

Ms. Simon’s appointment caps a high-profile career at the centre of Indigenous policy making. She has worked on the patriation of the Canadian Constitution in the early 1980s, played a senior role with the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and represented the Inuit during then-Prime minister Stephen Harper’s 2008 residential schools apology. She was president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), a non-profit organization representing more than 65,000 Inuit in Canada.

She is a mother of three and is married to former CBC journalist Whit Fraser.

Inuk leader Mary Simon named Canada’s Governor-General, first Indigenous person to hold role

Ms. Simon, 73, was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq and grew up in the town of Kuujjuaq which are both on the northern edge of Quebec and part of the Nunavik region. She is the daughter of Nancy and Bob May. Her father, a white man, has said he was the first Hudson’s Bay fur trader to defy the company’s ban on marrying an Inuk.

Ms. Simon and her seven siblings were raised according to Inuit traditions, including living off the land with sled dogs. After the sixth grade, Ms. Simon often split her time between homeschooling in Kuujjuaq and classes in Colorado, where her paternal grandparents had moved from Manitoba.

At the age of 22, she moved to Montreal for a job with CBC’s Northern Service as an announcer and producer. She then worked for several Inuit organizations, including the ITK, the Northern Quebec Inuit Association and the Makivik Corporation, an organization representing the Inuit of Nunavik, which she led as president.

Those leadership roles meant she was directly involved in the negotiations that led to the 1982 patriation of the Canadian Constitution, which entrenched Aboriginal and treaty rights. She was also involved in the round of constitutional talks that led to the failed Charlottetown accord in 1992, negotiating face-to-face with then-Prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Ms. Simon has credited her Inuk grandmother, Jeannie Angnatuk, for passing on centuries of oral Inuit history. During a 2007 interview with The Globe and Mail at her home in Kuujjuaq, Ms. Simon recalled what she had learned.

“My grandmother – even though there was nothing written down – she knew there were Inuit around the world. She knew where Greenland was. She knew there were Inuit in Alaska and she knew [of] the Inuit in Russia,” she recalled.

Inspired by that oral history and her grandmother’s dream of a global Inuit reunion, Ms. Simon would contribute to the creation of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) in July, 1977, which brought the Inuit of Canada, Alaska and Greenland together for the first time.

In 1986, she was elected president of the ICC and worked successfully to incorporate the Soviet Union’s Inuit three years later. From 1994 to 2003, she was Canada’s ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, a role in which she negotiated the creation of the Arctic Council. She also served as Canada’s ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2001.

That period of international diplomacy was followed by a return to advocacy, serving two terms as ITK president from 2006 to 2012. It was at this time that she worked with the leaders of Canada’s other national Indigenous organizations on the implementation of the federal government’s settlement with former residential-school students.

Ms. Simon and the other national Indigenous leaders spoke from the floor of the House of Commons in response to the 2008 residential schools apology, as dozens of former students and their families watched from above in the visitors’ seats.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine watches, after the government's official apology for more than a century of abuse and cultural loss involving Indian residential schools at a ceremony in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on June 11, 2008. -- Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press

Phil Fontaine, who stood with Ms. Simon that day as the then-national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, praised the announcement of her appointment as governor-general.

“It’s a brilliant choice,” he said. “She’s an outstanding personality. Humble, strong, visionary and she’s very collaborative.”

Mr. Fontaine said Ms. Simon will represent all Canadians and that Tuesday’s announcement fits the moment as the public learns more about Indigenous history and residential schools.

“She will shine a bright light on the Indigenous community, and she’ll make us proud,” he said.

Former prime minster Paul Martin, who has worked with Ms. Simon on the Kelowna Accord and on an initiative called Canadians for a New Partnership, aimed at better living conditions and education for Indigenous peoples, called her appointment “outstanding.”

“Her understanding of Canada is so complete. She understands who we are, what we’re about, how many different peoples we are,” he said. “She understands the importance of the young, and of education, and she understands what it takes to bring us together.”

Mr. Martin, who has continued to do work in Indigenous education, said Ms. Simon is someone he’s consistently called up for advice, and that he’ll continue to do so. “She has an insight into people that’s really important.”

Ms. Simon’s role as ITK president is now held by Natan Obed, who’s worked with her in various capacities over the past 15 years. Mr. Obed said he also knows her socially, mentioning they’ve been to each other’s houses for dinner.

He said that Ms. Simon has been a mentor for him, and that she’ll be an “excellent” governor-general.

“I think she’ll bring diplomacy, humility and warmth to the role. I also think that she’ll be a meaningful contributor to the ongoing dialogue on reconciliation and on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canadians,” he said. “I think that it will allow for conversations to happen across this country in a way that is constructive and optimistic and hopeful. And she brings a lived experience and identity that helps with that.”

He points to her role representing the Inuit during the residential schools apology, and her positions as ambassador for Canada and the Arctic, as experiences that will give her a unique outlook in the office of governor-general. “As an individual, she is kind and pragmatic and also approachable,” he said. “She’s somebody that it is willing to listen, and willing to have a conversation, and is able to talk to all sorts of people with all sorts of perspectives.”

7/7/212:18 PM

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