Mary Simon of Canada on Monday created history when she was sworn in as Canada's first indigenous woman governor-general. Simon a former journalist and ambassador is an advocate of the Inuit community. Simon is the first person of indigenous origin to hold the position-- serving as the representative of Queen Elizabeth, the head of the state.
This significant step to reconcile with the country's colonial past comes months after unmarked graves of indigenous students were found at grounds of former residential schools-- schools where indigenous children were forcibly taken to so that they could be assimilated into Canadian society.
At the elaborate ceremony, where Simon was sworn in, Trudeau said, “We need people like Ms Simon because we need people who build bridges and bring us together.”
“I have heard from Canadians who describe a renewed sense of possibility for our country and hope that I can bring people together,” Simon, 73, told Reuters.
Simon was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, Her swearing ceremony was broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp also in Simon's native Inuktitut language.
Simon as governor-general will perform functions like swearing in governments and formally signing the legislation. Simon is also the commander in chief of the military and can summon or dissolve Parliament.
With taking up the role, Simon said, she hopes to be “a bridge between the different lived realities that together make up the tapestry of Canada."
