Former Trent chancellor Dr. Mary Simon shares her journey to becoming Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, and what she hopes to accomplish now that she’s in the role
Known for her leadership in advocating for the socio-economic and human rights of Canadian Inuit and Indigenous peoples, former Trent University chancellor Dr. Mary May Simon continues to break boundaries as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general.
Her distinguished career is built on four decades of senior leadership positions. As a young woman, Dr. Simon held a series of executive positions with the Northern Quebec Inuit Association and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which led to the first land claims agreement in Canada.
Together with other Indigenous leaders, she also participated in efforts that resulted in the historic recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights in Canada's Constitution. Later, as president of Makivik Corporation, she was directly involved with the implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, and with the protection and promotion of Inuit rights.
Dr. Simon served as Trent’s seventh chancellor from 1995 to 1999, and again in 2002, and was presented with an honorary degree in 2005, the University’s highest honour. Through her many political, environmental, and governmental roles, Dr. Simon served as an advocate for the rights and culture of Inuit and all Indigenous peoples.
She also served two terms as president of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, now known as the Inuit Circumpolar Council and as the first Canadian ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, raising awareness of the challenges facing Northern residents and promoting environmental protection initiatives among the circumpolar nations.
