International Inuit Day event and Annie Pootoogook Park naming ceremony

November 7, 2021

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, attended and gave remarks at an event to mark International Inuit Day.

The event also included the official renaming of a park in honour of Inuk artist Annie Pootoogook, who died tragically in Ottawa in 2016.

 
A group of people are assembled in a park. It is a beautiful fall day.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, attended and gave remarks at an event to mark International Inuit Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-012
A man speaks at an outdoor podium. A woman stands next to him. Another woman is seated to their left.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, attended and gave remarks at an event to mark International Inuit Day.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-018
The Governor General addresses the crowd from the podium. She is wearing a blue parka pinned with a poppy.

The event also included the official renaming of a park in honour of Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook, who died tragically in Ottawa in 2016.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-021
The Governor General addresses the crowd from the podium. She is wearing a blue parka. People seated in the front row are looking at her.

The event also included the official renaming of a park in honour of Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook, who died tragically in Ottawa in 2016.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-025
The Governor General addresses the crowd from the podium. She is wearing a blue parka pinned with a poppy.

Annie Pootoogook was an accomplished Inuit artist known for her pen and pencil drawings depicting modern Inuit life.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-027
A young girl is dancing. She has a smile on her face. Behind her, an older woman stands with a small child on herA young girl is dancing. She has a beautiful smile on her face. An older woman with a small child on her back is smiling, standing behind her.

Annie Pootoogook was an accomplished Inuit artist known for her pen and pencil drawings depicting modern Inuit life.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-032
A boy is dancing. He is kicking one leg up. Others are clapping along.

In addition to honouring the life and work of Ms. Pootoogook, this event was a celebration of the rich and vibrant Inuit culture.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-033
Two women are facing each other with arms linked. They are engaged in throat singing.

In addition to honouring the life and work of Ms. Pootoogook, this event was a celebration of the rich and vibrant Inuit culture.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-041
Two women are facing each other with arms linked. They are engaged in throat singing. Between them, in the background, the Governor General is seated in a crowd.

“I am heartened by the fact that our stories are starting to be seen and heard, through music, art, literature, research, environmental stewardship, new governance arrangements and new perspectives on Canada’s history.” 

- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-043
A woman speaks at a podium. Other women stand behind her.

International Inuit Day is a day to celebrate the vibrant culture and rich history of the world’s Inuit communities, and to amplify the voices of Inuit everywhere.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-048
A man speaks at a podium. He is holding a photo box that has a row of crayons in it.

International Inuit Day is a day to celebrate the vibrant culture and rich history of the world’s Inuit communities, and to amplify the voices of Inuit everywhere.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-052
The Governor General unveils a sign for the Annie Pootoogook Park. A man stands to her right. A small group stands on the other side of the sign.

The event took place at the park behind the Sandy Hill Community Centre, in Ottawa.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-055
The Governor General and a young girl stand with the sign for the Annie Pootoogook Park between them.

The event took place at the park behind the Sandy Hill Community Centre, in Ottawa.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0092-056

Related Content