From May 25 to June 1, I will be back on the road, this time headed to Canada’s Far North. We will be setting off on an extensive journey that will take us to nine communities in Nunavut and Nunavik. My husband, Jean Daniel Lafond, and our daughter, Marie-Éden, will also be embarking upon this journey, taking part in a number of encounters, activities, festivities and discussions. The people of the North are warm. From Rankin Inlet to Kugluktuk, from Cambridge Bay to Resolute, from Pond Inlet to Clyde River and Pangnirtung, from Iqaluit to Kuujjuaq, we will be discovering the realities of these very isolated communities, each one, in many respects, quite distinct from the next.

It is our intention to learn about the concerns of, and the many challenges faced by, these populations, as well as the solutions that they would put forward.

It is imperative that northern people—particularly youth, as they account for the vast majority of the population—have the means to be involved in developing their communities and contributing to national prosperity. It is in this spirit of sharing and solidarity that we will be meeting with women, men and youth at the very heart of these regions, which make up 20% of Canada’s land mass.

Throughout the visit, we will be speaking with territorial government and municipal representatives. We will be holding several discussion forums with Inuit youth and Elders, as we have done elsewhere, to encourage dialogue between generations and to recognize the efforts of each. Youth in particular need this kind of recognition, which gives them a sense of assurance, the confidence they need to make the most of the opportunities before them, to dream big, and to strive for their aspirations. Education is the key—it is vital that they believe this and that this leads to a new generation of Inuit professionals, in every field, who will play a key role in developing their communities and improving the quality of life in the North. The number one resource in this region is its people. Human development must be front and centre.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Government of Nunavut, a critical step on the road to self governance. The issue of Canadian sovereignty in the North is also becoming increasingly important. Finding a balance between the equitable development of resources and the preservation of the environment is the main focus. It is essential that we strengthen the ties between Canada’s northern and southern regions and that all Canadians are enriched through a better understanding of the life, culture, experience and realities of the Inuit people.

We have invited a number of people and organizations from the North to blog here with you, to hold your perceptions up to reality. The North wants to be heard. So, how is the North a part of your life? What do you imagine it to be?