Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, January 27, 2016

What a privilege it is to be here at Northern Lights for the presentation of the Arctic Inspiration Prize.

Samuel de Champlain once wrote of Canada, “It’s difficult to know this country without wintering there.”

Something similar can be said of the Arctic: it’s difficult to know this country without knowing the Arctic.

Governors general have known this for many years, which is why I and my predecessors are always eager to visit the North.

For example, Vincent Massey—the first Canadian born governor general—visited the Arctic on numerous occasions. In 1953, nearly a year after taking on the role, he said to an audience in the North that he had visited all 10 provinces and thought he had seen our country. But, he admitted, he had hardly begun. I quote:

“If I thought that I had ‘done’ Canada, I see now that I have been merely touching the fringes.”

Vincent Massey knew the importance of the Arctic, and wanted people to know that this is home to so many Canadians.

I’ve been to the Arctic myself on several occasions since my installation as governor general in 2010. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with and honour extraordinary Canadians, as well as to see how they live, how they work and how they dream.

Something about the Arctic humbles and inspires us, and forces us to always be learning. And that’s a good thing, and an example all Canadians can learn from.

People up North rely upon and support each other; their interdependence is total. In such a harsh physical environment it couldn’t be otherwise. In the north you have no choice but to work together and form a tightly knit community.

After every visit to the Arctic, I’ve left with the thought: this is the story of Canada. It’s a story of people coming together and working towards common goals, quite often in challenging conditions.

The finalists for this year’s Arctic Inspiration Prize are doing just that.

They’re working together,

taking on big challenges,

fostering hope and looking for new opportunities to foster hope for and to offer help to northerners.

And what they propose to do is impressive.

They want to work with schools, communities and health-care providers to ensure that kids with hearing loss have the support they need to learn.

They want to strengthen culture, creativity and self-esteem by nurturing the performing arts in the Arctic.

They want to improve the health and quality of life of Arctic residents by creating recreational opportunities in remote and rural communities. 

Now that’s what I call inspiring!

Each of the nominees for the Arctic Inspiration Prize has a passion for and dedication to the Arctic and its people.

They belong to a unique community, a precious and important part of Canada and the world.

We are, of course, increasingly aware of the environmental, economic and cultural significance of this vast region.

But let’s never forget that above all, the Arctic is home to thousands of diverse and proud people. This includes so many Inuit who so graciously welcome us into their homes whenever we go and who are redefining the Arctic in so many ways.

The finalists are adding their voices and dreams to the Arctic. They are passionate about the North, and we celebrate their passion tonight. We have so much to learn from you and from what you’re doing. Think of tonight as an investment we’re making into our collective learning and into improving our communities.

The future of Canada’s North is in good hands, and it’s our job to highlight your work and to bring attention to the needs and priorities of the peoples in the Arctic.

Congratulations once again to all of you.

Thank you.