Inuit To Win It
Jul. 20 2021, Published 12:40 p.m. ET
Harry and Meghan told Oprah racism was present in the royal family.
And Buckingham Palace recently admitted it had to be more inclusive and diverse when it comes to royal staff.
But it seems the message is getting through as the Queen has appointed an Inuit leader to serve as her representative in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that Mary Simon would replace former astronaut Julie Payette as Governor-General.
Simon, 73, is a former diplomat and president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization.
Her selection comes at a delicate moment for indigenous relations in Canada after the discovery of hundreds of bodies at former forced schools for children, which operated for more than a century and closed in 1996.
The mostly ceremonial role — one I reckon Prince Harry would have been good at — mirrors that of Her Majesty.
It includes commanding the armed forces and giving royal assent to laws.
Simon will be the Queen’s 13th Governor-General since her reign began in 1952.
“Our country has taken an historic step,” said Trudeau, adding: “I cannot think of a better person to meet the moment.”
He said Simon’s career “has always been one of breaking down barriers.”
An Inuk from a hamlet in northeastern Quebec, Simon is known as an advocate for indigenous rights.
She previously served as Canada’s ambassador to Denmark and speaks English and Inuktitut, but not French, as she was denied the chance to learn it at her “Indian day school.”
Accepting the honor she said: “I do understand that there is pain and suffering across our nation.
“I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic moment for Canada and an important step forward on the long path to reconciliation.”
She could hardly do worse than Payette, who left office under a cloud of bullying allegations.
