30th and current governor general of CanadaFor the Scottish poet, see Mary Symon.

Mary Jeannie May Simon CC CMM COM OQ CD FRCGS (in Inuk*ut syllabics: ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ, Inuk*ut: Ningiukudluk; born August 21, 1947) is a Canadian civil servant, diplomat, and former broadcaster who has served as the 30th governor general of Canada since July 26, 2021. Simon is Inuk, making her the first Indigenous person to hold the office.

Simon was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec. She briefly worked as a producer and announcer for the CBC Northern Service in the 1970s before entering public service, serving on the board of the Northern Quebec Inuit *ociation and playing a key role in the Charlottetown Accord negotiations. Simon was Canada's first amb*ador for cir*polar affairs from 1994 to 2004, as well as a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council. She also served as the Canadian amb*ador to Denmark from 1999 to 2002.

On July 6, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved the appointment of Simon as the next governor general of Canada.

Contents

• 1 Early life and education
• 2 Career
  • 2.1 Early career
  • 2.2 Diplomatic career
    • 2.2.1 Amb*adorship
  • 2.3 Post-diplomatic work
• 3 Governor General of Canada
  • 3.1 Nomination
  • 3.2 In office
    • 3.2.1 Ajuinnata
    • 3.2.2 Germany visit
    • 3.2.3 First meeting with the Queen
    • 3.2.4 Papal apology to Indigenous delegation
• 4 Personal life
• 5 Honours
  • 5.1 Honorary degrees
  • 5.2 Honorary academic positions
• 6 Honorary military appointments
• 7 Current positions and memberships
• 8 Published works
• 9 Notes
• 10 References
• 11 External links

Early life and education

Simon was born Mary Jeannie May on August 21, 1947, in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, to Bob May, who was from Manitoba and of English descent, and his wife Nancy, an Inuk. Her father had relocated to the north in his youth and became manager of the local Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) store during the early 1950s. He says he was the first white employee to marry an Inuk, which the HBC banned at the time.

Simon was raised in a traditional Inuit lifestyle, including hunting, fishing, sewing Inuit clothing, and travelling by dog sled. She credits her mother and maternal grandmother Jeannie Angnatuk for p*ing on Inuit oral history to her.

Simon attended Kuujjuaq Federal Day School in Kuujjuaq (formerly Fort Chimo), then Fort Carson High School in Colorado, and completed her high school via correspondence in Kuujjuaq.

Career

Early career

Simon taught Inuk*ut at McGill University. From 1969 to 1973, she worked as a producer and announcer for the CBC Northern Service.

Simon began her career as a public servant by being elected secretary of the board of directors of the Northern Quebec Inuit *ociation. In 1978, she was elected as vice-president, and later president, of the Makivik Corporation. She held the position until 1985.

During this period she also became involved with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada's national Inuit organization. Simon was one of the senior Inuit negotiators during the repatriation of the Canadian Cons*ution, the First Ministers' conferences that took place from 1982 to 1992, as well as the 1992 Charlottetown Accord discussions.

She served as a member of the Nunavut Implementation Commission and as co-director (policy) and secretary to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Diplomatic career

She took on a variety of roles for the Inuit Cir*polar Conference (ICC). First as an Executive Council member from 1980 to 1983, as president from 1986 to 1992, and then as Special Envoy from 1992 to 1994. During this period she *isted in obtaining approval from the Russian government to allow the Inuit of the Chukotka Peninsula to participate in ICC. In 1986, as president of the ICC, Simon led a delegation of Canadian, Alaskan, and Greenland Inuit to Moscow and then to Chukotka to meet with Russian officials as well as the Inuit of the far east of Russia. In 1987 the ICC was successful in efforts that resulted in the Russian government allowing Russian Inuit to attend the 1989 ICC General *embly held in Alaska.

Amb*adorship

In 1994, Simon was appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to be Canadian Amb*ador for Cir*polar Affairs, a newly created position she held until early 2004. Acting on instructions from the Government of Canada she took the lead role in negotiating the creation of an eight-country council known today as the Arctic Council. The 1996 Ottawa Declaration formally established the Arctic Council which includes the active participation of the indigenous peoples of the cir*polar world. During her chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and later as Canada's Senior Arctic Official, she worked closely with the Indigenous Permanent Participants of the Arctic Council, and the seven other Arctic Countries it comprises.

During this time period, she also held the position of Canadian Amb*ador to Denmark (1999–2002), was a member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee of the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (1997–2000) and held the chairperson position for the commission from 1997 to 1998, and was appointed Councillor for the International Council for Conflict Resolution with the Carter Center in 2001.

Post-diplomatic work

From November 2004 to February 2005, she *isted with the facilitation and write-up of reports on the "Sectoral Follow-up Sessions" announced by Prime Minister Paul Martin following the April 19, 2004 Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable on Strengthening the Relationship on Health, Life Long learning, Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations, and Accountability for Results. From June 2004 to June 2007, Simon was a board member at the International Ins*ute for Sustainable Development.

From 2004 to 2005, Simon was special advisor to the Labrador Inuit *ociation on the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, and she was elected president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on July 7, 2006.

In 2010, Simon was reported to be under consideration for Governor General of Canada. David Johnston was ultimately appointed.

Governor General of Canada

Nomination

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing Mary Simon as the 30th governor general of Canada, 2021

The federal government began a search for a permanent replacement for Governor General Julie Payette following her resignation in early 2021. Simon was reported as a leading contender for the post early on, given her Indigenous heritage and then-political consciousness on Indigenous reconciliation. On July 6, 2021 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved Simon's appointment as the 30th Governor General of Canada. She received a customary audience with the Queen on July 22, though held virtually (instead of in-person) due to the coronavirus pandemic. She was vested with special appointments as Chancellor of the Order of Canada, the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and the Order of St. John (within Canada). She also received the Canadian Forces' Decoration. She was formally installed at the Senate of Canada Building on July 26.

Simon's appointment was somewhat unusual in that, while bilingual, she speaks English and Inuk*ut, but is not particularly proficient in French. This raised some complaints from francophone Canadians.

In office

On August 15, 2021, Simon approved the request of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to dissolve Parliament and signed a writ of election for September 20.

Ajuinnata

Simon considers the concept of ajuinnata as an important theme for her mandate as governor general. Ajuinnata is an Inuk*ut word that does not have a one-word translation, as it encomp*es many things: a vow or a promise to never give up, or a commitment to action no matter how daunting the cause may be. Simon said that the word was taught to her by her mother and grandmother, and is an important concept for Inuit. According to Simon, the spirit of ajuinnata drove her to get involved in movements to improve the lives of Inuit people in Canada.

Germany visit

Simon made her first trip abroad as Governor General on October 17, 2021, when she and her husband arrived in Berlin, Germany on a state visit. The trip was Canada's first state visit to Germany in over 20 years. During her visit, Simon met with President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Simon said she discussed with Steinmeier, how in fulfilling the role of head of state, to express and atone for the darkest moments of their countries' history—the Holocaust and the Residential School System. She also attended the Frankfurt Book Fair and a roundtable discussion on Arctic exploration at the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum.

First meeting with the Queen

Simon and her husband met the Queen for the first time on March 15, 2022, at Windsor Castle. The Queen hosted afternoon tea for the couple. It was the first time that the Canadian monarch met the first indigenous governor general in Canadian history. Simon later said in an interview that she and the Queen discussed various issues like the crisis in Ukraine, Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, and how they both recovered from COVID-19. Simon said she told the Queen that Canada's history books should be rewritten to reflect the facts about the relationship between the Canadian Crown and Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Papal apology to Indigenous delegation

On April 1, 2022, Simon released a statement following Pope Francis' apology to Indigenous delegation at the Vatican. Simon said she was grateful to the Pope for his words, and hailed it a "historic and emotional day for Indigenous peoples across Canada". She said that the apology is "one step on the road to reconciliation", and the Pope has "committed to visiting Canada to continue the reconciliation journey with Indigenous peoples on their own lands".

Personal life

Simon is the second-oldest of eight children. Her brother, Johnny May, is a locally renowned bush pilot. In her youth, Simon attended an Anglican church with her family. At age 40, she developed depression and burnout due to a mental illness, but gradually overcame them.

Simon married her first husband, Robert Otis, on March 27, 1967, in Kuujjuaq. She later married George Simon, and in 1994 she married her current husband, journalist and author Whit Fraser, a former head of the Canadian Polar Commission. She has two sons and one daughter. Simon speaks English and Inuk*ut, and she has committed to learn French during her tenure as governor general.

Simon tested positive for COVID-19 on February 9, 2022.

Honours

Simon's personal awards and decorations include:

Simon has received the following honours and recognition:

Honorary degrees

Honorary academic positions

• Mary May Simon was the Chancellor of Trent University (1995–1999, 2002).

Honorary military appointments

Current positions and memberships

Simon is a fellow of the Arctic Ins*ute of North America and of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Other positions currently held by her include:

• Advisor to the European Space Agency (Arctic Monitoring Program)
• Chairperson, Arctic Children and Youth Foundation
• Board Member, Indspire
• Member of the Board of Governors, University of the Arctic
• Council Member, Crossing Boundaries National Council
• Member of Advisory Circle, Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation
• Council Member, The National Police Services Advisory Council

Published works

Simon is the author of many works regarding the environment, education, language, and Inuit culture:

Books

• May Simon, Mary (1996). Inuit: One Future – One Arctic. Peterborough, Ontario: Cider Press. ISBN:1-896851-12-6.

Book contributions

• Simon, Mary (1989). "Security, Peace and the Native Peoples of the Arctic". The Arctic: Choices for Peace and Security. West Vancouver, British Columbia: Gordon Soules Book Publishers. pp.:31–36. ISBN:0-919574-82-3.
• Simon, Mary (1992). "Militarization and the Aboriginal Peoples". In Griffiths, Franklyn (ed.). Arctic Alternatives: Civility or Militarism in the Cir*polar North. Toronto, Ontario: Science for Peace. pp.:55–67. ISBN:0-88866-951-8.
• May Simon, Mary (1999). "The Arctic and the Antarctic: Heritage of Humanity". In Lewkowicz, Antoni G. (ed.). Poles Apart: A Study in Contrasts. Ottawa, Ontario: University of Ottawa Press. pp.:3–8. ISBN:0-7766-0497-X.
• Simon, Mary (2009). "Climate Change, Sovereignty and Partnership with the Inuit". In Abele, Frances; Courchene, Thomas J.; Seidle, F. Leslie; St-Hilaire, France (eds.). Northern Exposure: Peoples, Powers and Prospects in Canada's North. Montreal, Quebec: Ins*ute for Research on Public Policy. pp.:523–528. ISBN:978-0-88645-205-6.

Reports

• Simon, Mary (2017). A New Shared Arctic Leadership Model (PDF). Gatineau, Quebec: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. ISBN:978-0-660-09492-2. JSTOR:community.27989915.

Articles

• Simon, Mary (1985). "The Role of Inuit in International Affairs". Études Inuit Studies. 9 (2): 33–38. JSTOR:42869520.
• Simon, Mary (July 6, 1987). "Striking Paranoma in a North of Harmony and Bitterness". Ottawa Citizen. p.:A9. ProQuest:239048291.
• Simon, Mary (1989). "Toward an Arctic Zone of Peace: An Inuit Perspective". Peace Research. 21 (4): 27–30, 71. JSTOR:23609829.
• Simon, Mary (1991). "IUCN and Indigenous Peoples: A New Partnership". Canadian Biodiversity. 1 (3): 2–4. ProQuest:1012155001.
• Simon, Mary (1992). "Environment, Sustainable Development and Self-Government". Études Inuit Studies. 16 (1–2): 33–38. JSTOR:42869727.
• Simon, Mary (1997). "Building Partnerships: Perspectives from the Arctic". Behind the Headlines. Vol.:54, no.:3. pp.:10–15. Gale:A30334794 ProQuest:204577796.
• Simon, Mary (1998). "Children and Youth of the Arctic: A Critical Challenge of Sustainable Development". Northern Review (18): 70–78. Gale:A30484038.
• Simon, Mary (2000). "From Kangiqsualujjuaq to Copenhagen: A Personal Journey". Northern Review (22): 17–21. Gale:A30007927.
• Simon, Mary (2000). "Canada's Renewed Commitment to Northern Issues Through Policy Development and Partnership-Building". Northern Review (22): 115–119. Gale:A30008294.
• Simon, Mary (2002). "The Arctic Council: Tackling Sustainable Development in the Cir*polar Region". Biodiversity. 3 (3): 13. doi:10.1080/14888386.2002.9712589. S2CID:128822118.
• May Simon, Mary (June 2004). "Minority Government and Climate Change Action" (PDF). International Ins*ute for Sustainable Development.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
• Simon, Mary (October 1, 2006). "Our Children and Youth" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:101. pp.:50–53.
• Simon, Mary; Smith, Duane (November 6, 2006). "Inuit, climate change and northern development". The Hill Times.
• Simon, Mary (January 1, 2007). "Planting Dreams" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:102. pp.:52–55.
• Simon, Mary (February 16, 2007). "Planting Dreams Where We Are Told All Hope Is Gone:..." Nunatsiaq News.
• Simon, Mary (April 10, 2007). "Canada's Inuit Stand By East Coast Sealers". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (April 16, 2007). "Polar Bear as Poster Animal". National Post. p.:A14. ProQuest:330634800.
• Simon, Mary (July 1, 2007). "The Eyes of the World Are on the Arctic" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:103. pp.:62–65.
• Simon, Mary (July 1, 2007). "Stepping Forward" (PDF). Windspeaker. p.:5.
• Simon, Mary (July 26, 2007). "Inuit: The Bedrock of Arctic Sovereignty". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (August 27, 2007). "Overcrowded Housing in Nunavut Has Created One of the Highest Rates of Hospital Admissions in the World". The Hill Times.
• Simon, Mary (November 12, 2007). "Sovereignty from the North". The Walrus.
• Simon, Mary (November 28, 2007). ""Inuit Have Our Pens Out"". The Globe and Mail. p.:A22. Gale:A171847601 ProQuest:383395061.
• Simon, Mary (January 1, 2008). "Delivering an Inuit Message to Canadians" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:104. pp.:68–69.
• Simon, Mary (March 26, 2008). "In the Arctic, You Can't Go Back to the Future". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (May 17, 2008). "Polar Bear Politics Hurt Inuit". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (October 1, 2008). "The Zen of Blueberry Picking!" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:105. pp.:64–67.
• Simon, Mary (October 14, 2008). "Maybe This Parliament Will Get it Right; Let's See Our Freshly Elected Members Finally Take Action on Aboriginal Issues That Will Make a Difference for Native Peoples". Ottawa Citizen. p.:A15. ProQuest:241206921.
• Simon, Mary (2009). "Inuit and the Canadian Arctic: Sovereignty Begins at Home". Journal of Canadian Studies. 43 (2): 250–260. doi:10.3138/jcs.43.2.250. S2CID:142761049. ProQuest:203561682.
• Simon, Mary (January 1, 2009). "Will The Winds of Change Blow North?" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:106. pp.:60–63.
• Simon, Mary (February 13, 2009). "*imilation Is No Solution". National Post. p.:A17. ProQuest:330851699.
• Simon, Mary (March 11, 2009). "Inuit on Sealing: We Want Your Mind, Not Your Money". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (March 18, 2009). "EU's Inuit Seal Ban Exemption About Salving Consciences". Emb*y. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009.
• Simon, Mary (May 13, 2009). "EU Arctic Bid Off to Poor Start". Emb*y.
• Simon, Mary (July 2, 2009). "Inuit Need Representation in the Senate". Nunatsiaq News.
• Simon, Mary (July 3, 2009). "Equal Health Care for All Canadian Children". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (July 10, 2009). "Canada's Shameful Inaction on Climate Change". Toronto Star.
• Simon, Mary (August 20, 2009). "Northern Strategy Needs Spirit of Inuit Consensus Building". Nunatsiaq News.
• Simon, Mary (October 1, 2009). "Inuit Nunangat" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:107. pp.:48–51.
• Simon, Mary (June 1, 2010). "Olympic Spirits:..." (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:108. pp.:60–63.
• Simon, Mary (November 1, 2010). "Inuit Not Interested in Being People in the Middle of a New Cold War". The Hill Times.
• Simon, Mary (December 1, 2010). "Celebrating Bill Edmunds" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:109. pp.:56–58.
• Simon, Mary (2011). "Canadian Inuit: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going". International Journal. 66 (4): 879–891. doi:10.1177/002070201106600415. JSTOR:23104399. S2CID:147476061. Gale:A279137184.
• Simon, Mary (April 6, 2011). "For the Next Generation of Inuit, Hope Lies in Education". The Globe and Mail.
• Simon, Mary (May 1, 2011). "Addressing the Education Deficit" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:110. pp.:50–54.
• Simon, Mary (October 31, 2011). "Inuit History Is Canadian History". The Hill Times. No.:1112. p.:18.
• Simon, Mary (December 1, 2011). "The Next 40 Years" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:111. pp.:96–103.
• Simon, Mary (May 1, 2012). "Walking Our Children to School" (PDF). Inuk*uk. No.:112. pp.:60–69.
• Simon, Mary (August 1, 2012). "How Do Canada and Inuit Get to Win-Win in the Arctic?". Policy Options.
• Axworthy, Lloyd; Simon, Mary (March 4, 2015). "Is Canada Undermining the Arctic Council?". The Globe and Mail.
• Glithero, Lisa; Waterfall, Pauline; Simon, Mary; Watson-Wright, Wendy (January 2020). "The Heart of Our Biosphere: Exploring Our Civic Relationship with the Ocean in Canada" (PDF). IdeaLab. Canadian Commission for UNESCO.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Notes

References

External links

• Governor General of Canada – official website