Official visit to the Northwest Territories

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, reviews the guard of honour comprised of 12 Canadian Rangers and 6 Junior Rangers from across the Northwest Territories during a welcoming ceremony outside the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife on June 19, 2006. The five-day visit began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

The Governor General and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond were greeted by the Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief, the Liidlii Kue First Nations Chief, Fort Simpson Métis Nation President Marie Lafferty, MLA Kevin Menicoche, and the Mayor of Fort Simpson, His Worship Duncan Canvin, when they arrived in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they took part in a fire ceremony, a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

The Governor General stops to chat with young girls upon her arrival in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they took part in a fire ceremony, a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, takes time to talk with residents from the community at a fire ceremony in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they also took part in a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, takes time to talk with residents from the community at a fire ceremony in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they also took part in a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, takes time to talk with residents from the community at a fire ceremony in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they also took part in a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond and Steve Rowan from the Fort Simpson Historical Society look at old objects found in Albert Faille’s House in Fort Simpson, N.W.T. on June 21, 2006. Albert Faille was a famous explorer of gold who lived on the shore of the Nahanni River until he died in 1973. His house is now a museum. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in Fort Simpson. During their time in the community, they took part in a fire ceremony, a tour of the town, a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups, as well as a community feast.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, takes time to talk with residents such as Elders and children at a community feast in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in the community. During their time in the town, they also took part in a fire ceremony, a tour of the community, as well as a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, takes time to talk with residents such as Elders and children at a community feast in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, on June 21, 2006. Their Excellencies celebrated National Aboriginal Day in the community. During their time in the town, they also took part in a fire ceremony, a tour of the community, as well as a meeting with local leaders, elders and first nations groups.

The Governor General and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond participated in an excursion to Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada on June 22, 2006. The day-long excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site allowed Their Excellencies to learn more about the proposed expansion of the park and other related issues. The excursion was part of the Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories. The five-day visit began in Yellowknife with a stop in Fort Simpson and in the National Park. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

The Governor General and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond participated in an excursion to Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada on June 22, 2006. The day-long excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site allowed Their Excellencies to learn more about the proposed expansion of the park and other related issues. The excursion was part of the Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories. The five-day visit began in Yellowknife with a stop in Fort Simpson and in the National Park. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

The Governor General and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond participated in an excursion to Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada on June 22, 2006. The day-long excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site allowed Their Excellencies to learn more about the proposed expansion of the park and other related issues. The excursion was part of the Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories. The five-day visit began in Yellowknife with a stop in Fort Simpson and in the National Park. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond attended the CBC’s True North Concert in Yellowknife on June 20, 2006. The Governor General delivered short remarks during the concert. The performance showcased musical talent from all regions of Northern Canada.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond attended the CBC’s True North Concert in Yellowknife on June 20, 2006. The Governor General delivered short remarks during the concert. The performance showcased musical talent from all regions of Northern Canada.

On June 19, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, is greeted by the Honourable Tony Whitford, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and the Honourable Joseph Handley, Premier of the Northwest Territories (middle.) The five-day visit began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond are greeted inside the Legislative Chamber on June 19, 2006. The Governor General delivered an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories while in the chamber. Following her speech, Her Excellency presented the official registration document of the Northwest Territories’ coat of arms to the Premier. Their Excellencies then planted a tree outside the legislative assembly to commemorate their official visit to the territory.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond are greeted inside the Legislative Chamber on June 19, 2006. The Governor General delivered an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories while in the chamber. Following her speech, Her Excellency presented the official registration document of the Northwest Territories’ coat of arms to the Premier. Their Excellencies then planted a tree outside the legislative assembly to commemorate their official visit to the territory.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond are greeted inside the Legislative Chamber on June 19, 2006. The Governor General delivered an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories while in the chamber. Following her speech, Her Excellency presented the official registration document of the Northwest Territories’ coat of arms to the Premier. Their Excellencies then planted a tree outside the legislative assembly to commemorate their official visit to the territory.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond are greeted inside the Legislative Chamber on June 19, 2006. The Governor General delivered an address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories while in the chamber. Following her speech, Her Excellency presented the official registration document of the Northwest Territories’ coat of arms to the Premier. Their Excellencies then planted a tree outside the legislative assembly to commemorate their official visit to the territory.

The Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond visited a group of Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers on exercise on Great Slave Lake’s Hideaway Island on June 20, 2006. The Rangers offered demonstrations of traditional skills such as fishing, snaring and trapping. The Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

The Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond visited a group of Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers on exercise on Great Slave Lake’s Hideaway Island on June 20, 2006. The Rangers offered demonstrations of traditional skills such as fishing, snaring and trapping. The Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

The Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond visited a group of Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers on exercise on Great Slave Lake’s Hideaway Island on June 20, 2006. The Rangers offered demonstrations of traditional skills such as fishing, snaring and trapping. The Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, took part in a discussion with about twenty youth from The Side Door Youth Centre in Yellowknife on June 20, 2006. They talked about the challenges of growing up in a Northern context and on issues of importance to youth. The youth centre serves about 150 street youth in Yellowknife, provides after-school child care, educational workshops, support for new immigrants and programs for young mothers.

On June 20, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, took part in a ceremonial sod turning for the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition Transitional Home, the City of Yellowknife’s future homeless shelter. Her Excellency and Mayor Gordon Van Tighem offered remarks. The Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

On June 20, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, took part in a ceremonial sod turning for the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition Transitional Home, the City of Yellowknife’s future homeless shelter. Her Excellency and Mayor Gordon Van Tighem offered remarks. The Governor General’s five-day visit to the Northwest Territories began in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada. Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women was at the core of the Governor General’s visit to the Northwest Territories. This was her 9th territorial or provincial visit since the beginning of her mandate.

His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond took part in a discussion with filmmakers, artists, authors and local cultural leaders at Yellowknife’s Wildcat Café on June 23, 2006. As he has done in previous regional visits across Canada, Mr. Lafond addressed the theme of art and civic engagement during the meeting.