November 6, 2021

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OTTAWA, Ontario—Hello, I would like to begin by thanking Elder Verna McGregor for her blessing and land acknowledgement. I echo what she said, as we are gathered here today on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, who have lived on and cared for this part of the world for thousands of years.

Congratulations to the finalists of the Sobey Art Award. I had the privilege earlier not only of meeting you, but also of seeing your art on display. They were all striking, thought-provoking, original works. Like the best art, they told a story, brought us along on a journey of discovery. They let us see our society, our country, our world through your eyes.

And we need your unique points of view.

Too often we let others tell our story, speak for us, define us. It has happened to Indigenous peoples for much too long, not to mention other minority communities.

But when we take back our own stories, reclaim them, we can start to shape ourselves and how others perceive us. We are able to better communicate and can drive conversations on matters of fairness, equality, justice and even reconciliation.

You have done this through your art.

You are connecting us through your art; bridging matters of time and language and culture.

And what better place to showcase your talents than the National Gallery of Canada.

I was interested to learn of the gallery’s new institutional concept: Ankosé, an Anishnaabemowin word that means “everything is connected.”

This is my first time coming here as governor general and I’m delighted that people are once again able to visit this place, to see the very best in Canadian and Indigenous art. It is, indeed, a place to connect with art, with each other and with the artists themselves.

No matter who wins the award tonight, I would like to thank each finalist for sharing a piece of yourself with us. I know that wherever your skills take you from here, you will be dazzling art lovers for many years to come.

Good luck and my very best wishes.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwetch. Nakurmiik.