Inuk leader Mary Simon named Canada's next GG

Mary 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.

“It is only by building bridges, bringing between people in the North and South, just like in the East and West, that we can truly move forward,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday after he made the announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

“Mary Simon has done that throughout her life. I know she will help continue paving that path ahead. And we will all be stronger for it. Today after 154 years, our country takes a historic step. I cannot think of a better person to meet the moment.”

He said Queen Elizabeth has approved the appointment.

Simon, who was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec, is the former president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national advocacy organization for Inuit.

A longtime advocate for Inuit culture and rights, she also served as Canada's ambassador to Denmark and the Canadian ambassador for circumpolar affairs.

Simon began her remarks by speaking in Inuktitut and then in English said she thanked Trudeau for the "historic opportunity" and she is "honoured, humbled and ready to be Canada's first Indigenous governor general."

Her appointment comes at a critical moment for Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, after ground-penetrating radar located in recent weeks what are believed to be the unmarked graves of hundreds of children near former residential schools.

During her remarks, Simon described her appointment as a “historic and inspirational moment for Canada, and a step forward on the long path towards reconciliation,” and spoke about having grown up with an Inuk mother and a father from the south.

She also sought to confront one potential controversy: the fact she is not fluent in French.

“Based on my experience growing up in Quebec, I was denied the chance to learn French during my time in the federal government day schools,” she said.

“I am deeply committed to continuing my French-language studies and plan to conduct the business of the governor general in both of Canada's official languages as well as Inuktitut, one of many Indigenous languages spoken across the country.”