The Hamilton Spectator

Inuit react as Inuk sworn in as Queen’s representative

EMMA TRANTER

IQALUIT, NUNAVUT — Sitting with her four-year-old daughter on her lap, Crystal Martin-Lepenskie had tears in her eyes as she watched Mary Simon become Canada’s 30th governor general.

Simon, an Inuk born in Kangiqsualujjuaq in northern Quebec, took her oaths Monday morning at a ceremony in the Senate chamber in Ottawa. She is the first Indigenous and Inuk person in the role.

“I feel like this is true reconciliation, witnessing an Inuk who was born and raised traditionally, who experienced colonization, but who has also been very active throughout her career ... I couldn’t believe I was witnessing that,” Martin-Lepenskie said in an interview.

Martin-Lepenskie, originally from Sanirajak, Nunavut, and a former National Inuit Youth Council president, watched the ceremony from her home in Ontario.

“It proves that though every power was made to deplete our people, our culture and traditions, we remained resilient,” she said.

Martin-Lepenskie said she believes Simon’s appointment is only one step toward healing and reconciliation for Inuit and other Indigenous people in Canada.

But others question the timing of Simon’s appointment.

In a Facebook post shared with The Canadian Press, Napatsi Folger, who is from Iqaluit, said although she celebrates Indigenous people succeeding and doesn’t doubt Simon is a good choice, her appointment comes at a difficult time: “This move feels so much like posturing and like a disingenuous move to distract us from the important feelings of anger we still need to focus on.”

Folger said she believes Canada is not doing enough for Indigenous people, citing the federal government’s promises on things like clean drinking water, health care and justice.

CANADA & WORLD

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2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thespec.pressreader.com/article/281608128466050

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