Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, February 19, 2015

I am delighted to extend to you a “virtual” greeting from Ottawa on the occasion of the Qikiqtani Regional Teachers’ Conference.

When I was asked to say a few words of encouragement to this gathering, I gladly accepted—and for one simple reason: because I believe in what you do every day as educators.

As I often say: we must cherish our teachers. Behind every individual or group success, there is usually a teacher, mentor or elder, someone who served to guide, inspire or inform us in a significant way.

Certainly, this is true in my case, and it is the reason why I spent almost all of my life in learning as a student, teacher and university administrator. And my learning has continued as governor general! 

I want to add that I wholeheartedly support what you do as teachers in the North, a region that presents unique opportunities and challenges to teachers and students alike.

Indeed, the North itself is something of a giant classroom where the learning never ends—and nor should it!

I witnessed this reality again last month while on a visit to Alert, Nunavut, where I had the opportunity to learn more about the efforts of Canadian researchers and scientists to better understand the unique climate and geography of the North.

As primary and secondary school teachers in Nunavut, you are likewise fostering understanding and enlightenment in the North among your students.

It is so important that we do everything we can to support student success.

I know we face some serious challenges when it comes to education in the North. Attendance and graduation rates are significantly lower than in other parts of the country. Too many students are dropping out of high school. Too many are without hope for the future.

We must work together to find solutions. We must be innovative and compassionate. We must share our passion for learning and discovery. We must be smart and caring leaders and educators.

Your efforts are so vitally important—for the sake of your students, obviously, but also for their families, for their communities and culture, and for Canada as a country.

I truly believe that Canada’s overall success is closely linked to the success of the North, and that education is critical to both.

It is therefore no exaggeration to say that your success as teachers—working in communities such as Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Resolute and Clyde River, to name just a few—your success is directly linked to the success of Canada itself.

Canada can only succeed if you and your students succeed in reaching your fullest potential.

Communities in the North are separated by such vast distances, which is why it is so important that you take the time to gather annually to share ideas and best practices.

Collaborative technologies can help to facilitate learning, and I am pleased to see the progress that is being made in digital communications in the North.

Such technologies provide a window on the world, and equally they can provide the world with a window onto northern Canada. This opens up new possibilities for learning for students and teachers alike.

One way this can happen is through dialogue, and I am delighted to see the growing number of conversations that are taking place between people in northern and southern Canada.

Let me end with a brief story about a young Inuit boy I met a few years ago while on a visit to Resolute. His curiosity reminded me of our innate human desire to ask questions and to learn.

One of my activities in Resolute was to take part in the Terry Fox Run and to fire the starter pistol to begin the race. I had just given the signal and was about to join the race when this boy came up to me and asked, “Who are you, anyway?”

I said I was the governor general.

He then asked, “What’s your name, anyway?”

I said my name is David.

Then he asked me, “How old are you, anyway?”

I smiled and told him I was 70.

He then said, “I didn’t think there was anybody that old, anyway!”

I share this story because that curious and energetic little boy with the great sense of humour has so much potential. Perhaps he is a student in one of your classrooms!  I am certain that you know of many students who are likewise full of curiosity and potential.

As governor general, I have challenged Canadians to find ways to build a smarter, more caring country as we approach 2017, Canada’s 150th birthday.

And I would like to challenge you, our northern teachers, to think about your gift to Canada and how, through learning, you can help your students to succeed and to contribute to their communities and to Canada.  

Thank you for everything you do as teachers. I wish you the very best in your important work.