The Canada Atlas

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Mary Simon

30th Governor General · born 1947

Mary Simon
New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · CC BY 4.0

An Inuk broadcaster, negotiator and diplomat who became the first Indigenous viceroy.

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Life story

  1. August 21, 1947 · Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec
    Born at Kangiqsualujjuaq in Nunavik
  2. 1975 · James Bay, Quebec
    Worked on the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the first modern land claim
  3. 1982 · Kuujjuaq, Quebec
    Became president of Makivik Corporation, representing Nunavik Inuit
  4. 1994 · Ottawa
    Appointed Canada's first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs
  5. July 26, 2021 · Rideau Hall, Ottawa
    Sworn in as Governor General, taking her oath partly in Inuktitut
  6. June 2026 · Rideau Hall, Ottawa
    Left office; succeeded by Louise Arbour

In the timeline

Sources