This morning, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Ms. Mary J. May Simon (Ningiukadluk) as Canada’s new Governor General, the first Indigenous person to serve as the Queen’s representative in Canada.
Ms. Simon has an extensive background, including service as president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization and was the first Inuk to hold a position of ambassador for Canada including as the ambassador for Denmark.
Her nomination comes as the country grapples with the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential schools across Canada, and the expectation that more will be found.
Ms. Simon replaces Julie Payette who resigned in January amid scandal, including allegations from staff of workplace harassment.
