Yellowknife, Thursday, June 22, 2006

We apologize for arriving so late this evening. We are also sorry to have missed our planned discussion. We were away in Nahanni National Park and, during our return flight to Fort Simpson, our assistance was requested to search for a missing canoeist, who we found.

I would like to say how proud we were and impressed by the professionalism of our Parks Canada and RCMP teams in responding to emergencies of this nature.

My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are here on our first official visit to the Northwest Territories. What a wonderful coincidence that we should be here at the same time!

Jean-Daniel and I have already had the opportunity to visit Nunavut earlier this year and will be travelling to the Yukon this fall. As I was preparing for this trip, it occurred to me that very few Canadians have the opportunity to visit the Far North, despite the fact that it is the largest part of our country.

What a shame, because this part of our country is filled with treasures, from its determined people to its rich Aboriginal cultures and magnificent landscapes that this tour will enable you to discover.

It is also an opportunity to learn about many of the issues facing today’s Canada: for example, the sovereignty of our Arctic lands, the development of our natural resources, the effects of global warming on northern ecosystems, the struggle to find a balance between the traditional knowledge of the Aboriginal peoples and the urgent need for them to acquire new knowledge so that they can take charge of their own destiny.

Many of these issues are global problems, and it is encouraging that heads of mission in Canada, from all backgrounds, are able to take in the full expanse and demographic diversity of our country. In the Northwest Territories lives on that spirit of adventure of the Aboriginal peoples and explorers that gave rise to the birth of Canada as a country and continues to be our greatest strength.

Up here, north of 60, from the boreal forest to the tundra, are two of the largest lakes in the world. That should give you just an inkling of the treasure trove of vital resources that this territory has to offer humanity, a territory that has nurtured a culture forever bound to the essence of these lands. A territory we must protect.

My husband and I hope that you will make the most of this trip to Canada’s North. And we hope that this meeting will be an opportunity to continue the dialogue on issues that concern us all.

In this day and age, it is more important than ever to find values that all civilizations share. Our future prospects extend far beyond our own interests. Our new focus and rallying point is humanity itself. I believe that this century is the century of globalization.

What better place than this for such open-minded and far-reaching thoughts? The North, as I said recently, is not only the spot where the compass needle shows north, but here, in Canada, it is also the place where nature has asserted its rights. This nature and these fresh water sources remind us of the many riches this country holds that all too often we take for granted; that is, when we don’t outright abuse them. They also confirm that every inch of this planet enriches humanity’s natural heritage.

Moreover, throughout the Northwest Territories and Canada’s North, you will come to know the realities and cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, who make up the majority of the population here. And as you come to know these cultures, you will see where the history of the Americas began. I encourage you to explore that history.

I wish you the very best as you continue on your northern tour. May you be filled with wonder at every stage along this journey.

Tonight is also a unique opportunity for me to present the Order of Canada to Reverend Father Jean Pochat-Cotilloux: Admired throughout the Western Arctic for his selfless service to the North and its people. As the founding director of Grandin College in Fort Smith, he played a vital role in nurturing a generation of Aboriginal leaders who have articulated a new vision for the North. He later provided his expertise to the Western Arctic Leadership Program, which was inspired by the model of Grandin College. He has also served as a priest in Rae-Edzo, where he cultivated close ties with the Dogrib people of the Dene Nation and demonstrated a deep respect for their traditions and values.