Governor General Mary Simon is reflecting on five years of work championing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples as she nears the end of her historic tenure. Named Canada's official representative to the Crown in 2021 at age 73, Simon became the first Indigenous person appointed to the role, serving both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
Simon, who grew up in Nunavik, said her elevation from admirer of the monarchy to viceregal servant gave her a unique opportunity to forge relationships across Canada. "Making connections that help foster the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians has been a big part, because sometimes the trust isn't always there if you don't get to know someone that is not from your own culture," she told The Canadian Press in an interview at Rideau Hall.
She took on the position at a pivotal moment when Canada was beginning to reckon with the legacy of residential schools and as the federal government prioritized reconciliation. Though Simon did not feel conflicted as an Inuk stepping into the viceregal role, she acknowledged initial concerns about the reaction from Indigenous communities, who maintain distinct relationships with the Crown through treaties that remain incompletely implemented.
During her five years at 1 Sussex Drive, Simon emphasised the value of supporting Canadians "with kindness, with empathy, during some of the more difficult periods". She stressed that building meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians requires sustained effort and time.
Louise Arbour, a former Supreme Court justice and United Nations high commissioner for human rights, is set to replace Simon as governor general on June 8.
