May 5, 2022
OTTAWA, Ontario—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will undertake an official visit to Nunavik, northern Quebec, from May 9 to 13, 2022.
During the visit to the Governor General’s home region, Their Excellencies will travel to Kuujjuaq, on the Koksoak River; to Kangiqsualujjuaq, at the mouth of the George River near where Her Excellency was born; to Kangiqsujuaq, close to the Hudson Strait; and to Inukjuak, on the eastern coast of Hudson Bay.
Their Excellencies will meet with Inuit leaders, youth groups, teachers, students and members of Nunavik organizations to discuss community wellness, the importance of education, Indigenous reconciliation and mental health. They will also learn about new wellness programs in support of youth and families.
Kuujjuaq
Monday, May 9
9:00 a.m.
Round-table discussion about Northern realities
Her Excellency will meet with representatives from Makivik Corporation, Kativik Regional Government (KRG), Nunavik Regional Board of Health & Social Services (NHBHSS), Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (school board) and Qarjuit Youth Council.
Makivik Corporation boardroom
PHOTO OP - At the beginning of the meeting only
10:20 a.m.
Meeting with Kuujjuaq Mayor and Council
Her Excellency will be greeted by a Canadian Rangers guard of honour in front of Katittavik Town Hall before taking part in a meeting with Her Worship Mary Johannes, Mayor of Kuujjuaq and with councillors to discuss local issues, projects and plans. The Governor General will speak and meet with residents on-site.
Katittavik Town Hall
PHOTO OP – Upon arrival of the Governor General only
12 p.m.
Visit to the Isuarsivik Recovery Centre’s Qarmak at the Three Lakes Site
Their Excellencies will discuss Isuarsivik’s culturally based wellness program that promotes Inuit pride, self-empowerment and healing, and will tour the organization’s new centre. The Governor General will deliver brief remarks.
The Isuarsivik Recovery Centre’s holistic healing approach blends traditional Inuit values and modern practices in the field of addiction and trauma to promote Inuit pride, self-empowerment, spirituality and healing through loving, healthy, productive lifestyles in a safe, addiction-free environment. Isuarsivik won the Arctic Inspiration Prize this year for its new program, Family at the Heart of the Healing Process. For more information, visit www.isuarsivik.ca (English only).
Three Lakes, just outside of Kuujjuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA – For the first part of the visit only
3 p.m.
Visit to Jaanimmarik High School
Her Excellency will speak with students at the Jannimmarik School and answer their questions as part of a town hall. There will also be some cultural performances.
Jaanimmarik School has about 350 students, from Grade 4 to Secondary V. The school offers courses in English, French and Inuktitut, and is part of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (school board), created under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Jannimmarik School
OPEN TO MEDIA
3:50 p.m.
Visit to the Tusaajiapik Elders’ Home
Their Excellencies will visit Elders at their residence in Kuujjuaq. The Tusaajiapik Elders’ Home is a living environment adapted to Inuit culture. It provides 24-hour care.
Tusaajiapik Elders’ Home
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Kangiqsualujjuaq
Tuesday, May 10
9:40 a.m.
Arrival at the Kangiqsualujjuaq Airport
Their Excellencies will be welcomed by His Worship McCombie Annanack, Mayor of Kangiqsualujjuaq, and a Canadian Rangers guard of honour.
Kangiqsualujjuaq Airport
PHOTO OP
10:05 a.m.
Meeting with Kangiqsualujjuaq Mayor and Council
Her Excellency will meet with the Mayor of Kangiqsualujjuaq and with councillors to discuss local issues, projects and plans.
Kangiqsualujjuaq Municipal Office
PHOTO OP - At the beginning of the meeting only
10:45 a.m.
Visit to Ulluriaq School
Their Excellencies will visit the school, address students and participate in a town hall. There will be cultural performances. The Governor General will present a Governor General’s Academic Medal certificate.
Ulluriaq School is a primary and secondary school with approximately 240 students. It offers courses in English, French and Inuktitut, and is part of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (school board), created under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Ulluriaq School, Kangiqsualujjuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
12:35 p.m.
Visit to Qarmaapik Family House
Their Excellencies will hear about the programming at the Qarmaapik House, which works with local families to provide crisis support and wellness activities. They will have lunch with Elders.
The Qarmaapik Family House is a safe house for children and families that provides counselling services, programs for young parents, family activities and training for counsellors. The group was a co-winner of the 2016 Arctic Inspiration Prize.
Qarmaapik Family House, Kangiqsualujjuaq
PHOTO OP – During the visit portion only
3:05 p.m.
Visit to Kuururjuaq National Park Interpretation Centre
Their Excellencies will visit the interpretation centre, which includes a section about the Governor General’s father and many displays about the natural beauty of the park.
The Kuururjuaq National Park Interpretation Centre was built in 2010. The exhibits in the centre showcase the beauty of this provincial park, which covers 4 460 km2 on the northern tip of the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula. For more information, visit www.nunavikparks.ca/en/parks/kuururjuaq
Kuururjuaq National Park Interpretation Centre, Kangiqsualujjuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
4:25 p.m.
Community Gathering
Their Excellencies will participate in a gathering with members of the community. There will be cultural performances and music. Her Excellency will deliver informal remarks.
To be determined, Kangiqsualujjuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
Kangiqsujuaq
Wednesday, May 11
10:05 a.m.
Arrival at the Kangiqsujuaq Airport
Their Excellencies will be welcomed by Her Worship Qiallak Qumaluk Nappaaluk, Mayor of Kangiqsujuaq, and a Canadian Rangers guard of honour.
Kangiqsujuaq Airport
PHOTO OP
10:30 a.m.
Meeting with Mayor and Council
Her Excellency will meet with the Mayor of Kangiqsujuaq and with councillors to discuss local issues, projects and plans.
Municipal office, Kangiqsujuaq
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting only
11:05 a.m.
Visit to the Qilangnguanaaq Assisted Living Centre
Their Excellencies will visit with Elders at the Qilangnguanaaq Assisted Living Centre in Kangiqsujuaq. The centre provides a safe living environment for Elders and persons with disabilities who require daily assistance and supervision.
Qilangnguanaaq Assisted Living Centre, Kangiqsujuaq
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
11:30 a.m.
Visit to the Mianirsivik Family House
Their Excellencies will learn about the wellness support Mianirsivik provides to families and other community members. They will also take part in an amauti strap-making activity.
The Mianirsivik Family House offers a safe space where programs and services are offered to support Kangiqsujuaq community members on their journey to wellness and well-being. They also offer men’s and women’s breakfast clubs, with workshops and traditional activities on the land.
Mianirsivik Family House, Kangiqsujuaq
PHOTO OP
2:30 p.m.
Visit to Arsaniq School
Their Excellencies will meet with staff and students and observe cultural performances. Her Excellency will deliver informal remarks, take part in a town hall and present a Governor General’s Academic Medal certificate to a student. An Order of Military Merit will also be presented to a Canadian Ranger.
Arsaniq School is a primary and secondary school with approximately 200 students. It offers courses in English, French and Inuktitut, and is part of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (school board), created under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Arsaniq School, Kangiqsujuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
3:15 p.m.
Visit to the Pingualuit National Park Interpretation Centre
Their Excellencies will visit the interpretation centre, which showcases the cratère des Pingualuit and artefacts from the area.
The Pingualuit National Park Interpretation Centre features displays about the first provincial park in Nunavik, including the geomorphological transformations of the park over time and the role of the giant meteorite that created the Pingualuit crater and its circular lake of clear, blue water. For more information, visit: https://www.nunavikparks.ca/en/parks/pingualuit.
Pingualuit National Park Interpretation Centre, Kangiqsujuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
Inukjuak
Wednesday, May 11
5:20 p.m.
Arrival at the Inukjuak Airport
Their Excellencies will be greeted by His Worship Pauloosie Kasudluak, Mayor of Inukjuak, and a Canadian Rangers guard of honour.
Inukjuak Airport
PHOTO OP
Inukjuak
Thursday, May 12
9 a.m.
Meeting with Mayor and Council
Her Excellency will meet with the Mayor of Inukjuak and with councillors to discuss local issues, projects and plans.
Municipal office
PHOTO OP – At the beginning of the meeting only
9:45 a.m.
Visit to Innalik School
Their Excellencies will meet with staff and students and observe cultural performances. Her Excellency will give informal remarks, present a Governor General’s Academic Medal certificate and participate in a town hall.
Innalik School is a primary and secondary school with more than 400 students. It offers courses in English, French and Inuktitut, and is part of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (school board), created under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Innalik School, Inukjuak
OPEN TO MEDIA
11:45 a.m.
Community lunch at Sirivik Food Centre
Their Excellencies will help Sirivik staff and volunteers serve food to the residents of Inukjuak.
Sirivik Food Centre provides a wide range of programs and initiatives, and finds creative solutions to addressing food security in Inukjuak. For more information, visit: https://sirivik.ca/
Inukjuak Community centre
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:15 p.m.
Visit to the Avataq Cultural Institute
Their Excellencies will discuss the protection and promotion of Inuit culture and language with Avataq staff. They will review maps with Inuktitut place names and books in Inuktitut.
The Avataq Cultural Institute’s goal is to ensure Inuit culture and language continue to thrive into the future so Inuit descendants can benefit from the rich heritage passed down through the wisdom of ancestors. For more information, visit: https://www.avataq.qc.ca/en/Home
Avataq Cultural Institute, Inukjuak
OPEN TO MEDIA
2:35 p.m.
Visit to the Qulliq Youth Rehabilitation Centre for Girls
Her Excellency will speak with girls at the treatment centre, participate in a beading activity with them and visit workshops where they are making parkas and other items.
Qulliq Youth Rehabilitation Centre is a treatment centre for adolescent girls. It is staffed by a manager, educators and intervention agents, and incorporates Inuit traditional activities in its programming.
Qulliq Youth Rehabilitation Centre, Inukjuak
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
3:40 p.m.
Visit to the Unaaq Men’s Association
Their Excellencies will take part in rope making for dog teams. They will also discuss the impact Unaaq’s programs for men have had on the community.
Unaaq Men’s Association works to address social challenges through the development of Inuit traditional programs that target youth participants by pairing them with Elders and experienced hunters.
Unaaq Men’s Association, Inukjuak
OPEN TO MEDIA
Kuujjuaq
Friday, May 13
10 a.m.
Kajusivik Adult Education
Their Excellencies will meet with students enrolled in the automobile mechanics program and take part in a cultural activity.
Kajusivik Adult Education Centre has an average of 50 students in its programs and general education courses every year. Their programs range from automobile mechanics, light-duty and leisure vehicle mechanics, institutional home care assistance, and accounting.
Garage, Kajusivik Adult Education, Kuujjuaq
OPEN TO MEDIA
Quick facts
- Her Excellency was born in 1947, near the present-day community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec), to Nancy May (Angnatuk-Askew), her Inuk mother, and Bob Mardon May, who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
- Her Excellency has held numerous key Inuit leadership positions, including president of Makivik Corporation, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
Notes for media
- Members of the media must confirm their attendance at selected events with the Rideau Hall Press Office.
- Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via media@gg.ca.
- Members of the media can follow the Governor General’s visit and activities online at gg.ca.
Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7563
media@gg.ca
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