Why Mary Simon's appointment is expected to 'bridge cultures and communities'

Two Indigenous leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador are praising the appointmentof Mary Simon as Canada's next governor general, and saythe veteran Inuk leader will do much to address reconciliation.

"The position of governor general as representative of the Queen. There's a long history of colonialism in this country and that's certainly something I think that we all question and grapple with," saidCatharyn Andersen, Indigenous vice-president at Memorial University.

"But Mary Simon as an individual, as an Indigenous woman, will be able to bring a unique experience and be able to lead those conversations. I think she will be able to really bridge cultures and communities, and I think she has a history of doing that."

Simon, a former ambassador, is from Kuujjuaq, a village on the coast of Ungava Bay in northeastern Quebec.

Mary Sillettof North West River,who has served as president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, thenon-profit organization that works to improve the health and well-being of Inuit in Canada, said there couldn't have been a better choicefor the position.

Sillett, who has met Simon several times over the years,highlighted Simon's work in many roles.

"She's an Inuk, she's a woman, she is a demonstrated diplomat a very skilled negotiator," Sillett said. "I think she's got probably more credentials than many Aboriginal Indigenous people out there.

"I'm sure that she'll do well."

Simon's appointment will also provide a platform for other Indigenous voices to be heard, Sillett said.

WATCH| Mary Simon is chosen as Canada's first Indigenous governor general:

Mary Simon chosen as 1st Indigenous governor general

3 years ago

Duration 3:43

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Inuk leader Mary Simon to be Canada's next governor general in a move that is being praised. But after the controversy surrounding Julie Payette, Simon may have a challenging road ahead.

"We're in a very difficult time in Canadian history.There is much anger for a lot of unresolved issues," she said. "I think she's got those kind of skills that will lend credibilityand competence to the position of Governor General."

Sillett also spoke to one criticism that has been used against Simon's ability, noting that Simoncan't currently speak French. While bilingual in English and Inuktitut, Simon said she has committed to learning French.

"Fiftyyears ago you would never have imagined we have imagined that we'd have an Indigenous person in a very top position in our Canadian government," Sillett said.

"We live in a very, very new day."

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