Mary Simon

Mary Simon is a Canadian Inuk leader and former diplomat who has served as the Governor General of Canada since 2021, following the resignation of Julie Payette. She is the first Inuk person to hold the office, and her appointment was supported by Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee. Simon's career has been marked by her work in Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, and as a Canadian Ambassador to Denmark and the Kingdom of Denmark's Faroe Islands and Greenland. Her experience also includes serving on the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Early life and education

Mary Simon was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, to a family of Inuit and French-Canadian descent, and was raised in Kuujjuaq, the largest Inuit community in Nunavik. She attended Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario, and later studied at McGill University in Montreal, where she became involved in Inuit politics and advocacy, working with organizations such as the National Inuit Youth Council and the Inuit Women of Canada. Simon's early life and education were influenced by her experiences in Inuit communities, including Iqaluit, Yellowknife, and Whitehorse, and her interactions with Inuit leaders such as Tagak Curley and John Amagoalik.

Career in public service

Mary Simon began her career in public service as a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio broadcaster in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and later worked as a civil servant in the Government of the Northwest Territories. She served as the president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami from 1986 to 1992, and later as the chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council from 1994 to 1997, working with international organizations such as the United Nations and the Arctic Council. Simon's career in public service has also included appointments as a Canadian Ambassador to Denmark and the Kingdom of Denmark's Faroe Islands and Greenland, as well as a member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which was established by the Government of Canada to investigate the relationship between Indigenous peoples in Canada and the Crown.

Governor General of Canada

As the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon has played a key role in promoting Indigenous reconciliation and Canadian unity, working with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Her appointment was seen as a significant step towards reconciliation, following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's report, which highlighted the need for greater recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Simon has also worked to promote Canadian culture and arts, supporting organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the National Gallery of Canada, and has represented Canada at international events such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the G7 summit.

Personal life and legacy

Mary Simon is married to Whit Fraser, a former CBC journalist, and has two children, Johnny and Sarah. Her legacy as a leader and advocate for Inuit rights has been recognized by organizations such as the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Inuit Women of Canada, and she has been awarded honorary degrees from universities such as McGill University and University of Toronto. Simon's personal life and legacy are also closely tied to her work in Inuit communities, including Kuujjuaq, Iqaluit, and Yellowknife, and her interactions with Inuit leaders such as Tagak Curley and John Amagoalik.

Honours and awards

Mary Simon has received numerous honours and awards for her contributions to Inuit rights and Canadian public service, including the Order of Canada, the Order of Nunavut, and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. She has also been recognized by international organizations such as the United Nations and the Arctic Council for her work on Indigenous rights and Arctic governance. Simon's awards and honours also include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, which were presented to her by the Governor General of Canada and the Prime Minister of Canada.