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Canada’s 30th Governor General, Mary Simon, installed

On Monday 26 July, Canada’s 30th Governor General, Mary Simon, was installed at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Simon is the first Indigenous Governor General and the fifth female Governor General. An Ink woman from Northern Quebec, she is a historic appointment. 

The ceremony featured several Indigenous elements; it typically is personalised to the incoming Governor General. During the pre-ceremony, Elder Sally Webster performed the Lighting of the Qulliq, an Inuit ceremony that celebrates hope and life. There were Indigenous performers, including traditional drumming and singing, throughout- Simon, her husband Walt Fraser, Prime Minister Trudeau, and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau were welcomed to the Parliament Buildings with a drumming circle. 

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Taking place in the Senate Chambers, the ceremony was opened with an Algonquin opening and Land Welcome, from Elder Claudette Commanda. Elisapie, an Inuit artist, performed her song “Arnaq”; arnaq means woman in Inuktituk and represents the strength of womanhood. 

Simon was required to take three oaths during the installation ceremony, The Oath of Allegiance, The Oath of Office of Governor General and Commander-In-Chief of Canada, and The Oath of Keeper of the Great Seal of Canada. After she was installed, Métis and Franco-Manitoban artist Andrina Turenne performed another song, “En plein coeur mal”, which highlights the struggles of Métis peoples and Francophones in the West. 

She was presented with the Collars of Office; as The Queen’s representative in Canada, she will be responsible for presenting the orders. She was presented with the Collars for the Order of Canada, the Order of Military Merit, and the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, and the Canadian Heraldic Authority. She also was presented with the Great Seal of Canada. 

Simon gave her first address as Governor General of Canada: “I am deeply touched by the responses from Canadians who have reached out to me… I have heard from Canadians who have challenged me to bring a renewed purpose to the office of Governor General of Canada.”

Her speech was heartfelt and humorous, sharing that her Inuk name means“Bossy little old lady”. She also touched on reconciliation, stating: “My view is that reconciliation is a way of life and requires work every single day”. 

After the ceremony finished, the new Governor General visited the National War Memorial to lay flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She then departed for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General in Ottawa. 

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The ceremony was broadcast nationally on CBC and CTV, and in addition to being shared in English and French, it was also covered in eight different Indigenous languages on CBC Radio. 

Simon’s appointment has raised few questions, as the need for Indigenous representation in all areas of government in Canada has long been lacking. However, she does not speak French, which has caused some Canadians, mainly in Quebec, to question why she was chosen. Simon is already bilingual, though, speaking English and Inuktitut fluently, and has promised that she will be learning French while in office. In her address, she noted, “I have heard from Canadians who have responded from my commitment to learning French, and have even offered to help me,” and stated that she plans to live and work at the Citadelle, the Governor General’s residence in Quebec City. 

About author

Historian and blogger at AnHistorianAboutTown.com