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[Screen Description: The screen reads: “Installation Day”, followed by “Mary May Simon – Governor General of Canada.” The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall. This same image is featured at the end of the video.]

[Screen Description: The video features a series of short clips of Governor General Mary May Simon on the day she was installed as governor general of Canada. These clips feature Her Excellency at the Senate of Canada during her installation ceremony; inspecting the guard at the Senate and at Rideau Hall; laying a flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ottawa; and being greeted by loved ones outside of Rideau Hall. Instrumental music is playing throughout the video.]

[Screen Description: The screen reads: Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada (English), followed by gouverneure générale du Canada (French). The background is dark blue and the viceregal lion is in the centre of the image, above the text. A watermark at the bottom of the image indicates that this video is owned by Rideau Hall. This same image is also seen at the end of the video.]

Hello, bonjour, [Inuktitut greeting]

The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. But it is in the dark that our stars shine the brightest.

And under these stars, we tell our stories.

My own began in Arctic Quebec, now Nunavik, where my parents and grandmother taught me and my siblings all we needed to know about our heritage.

And at night? My Inuit grandmother told us legends.

My favourite was always the story of Sedna.

My grandmother would delight in bringing Sedna to life, telling us how she became the ruler of the Inuit underworld. How the different species of seals, walruses and other sea mammals were born.

Oral histories and creation myths are important parts of Inuit, First Nations and Métis cultures. These traditions, and the act of sharing them, are what connects us to each other and to the land and waters.

Equally unique customs and stories are found in every corner of this country, told in a kaleidoscope of languages.

Stories teach us what we need to know: how to treat each other; the difference between good and evil; how kindness is a strength all of its own. They help us grow into who we want to become.

As we get older, we start to form our own tales, taken from our life’s experiences.

We all have a story to tell.

Through my own story, I learned to find my voice and to use it to empower others still struggling to be heard.

As winter begins, as the stars come out in the sky, open your hearts, remember the past and look to the future you want.

Let the stories pour out.

What is yours?  

December 30, 2021

OTTAWA - A new year gives us a new beginning and new hope for tomorrow.

We have seen hope in the everyday.

Even after a hard year, Canadians are showing resilience, compassion and adaptability.

These Canadians inspire me to keep working, to keep seeking out better ways to help our communities and our children thrive.

In Inuktitut, there is a concept called ajuinnata. Although it means commitment, a promise, a vow, it’s also so much more—we find meaning in its action. 

Together, we are combating the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations and public health measures.

Together, we are thinking of creative and innovative solutions to save our planet.

Together, we are walking the path of reconciliation, on a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding.

With every hard question we ask, we find answers to how we can make Canada a truly inclusive and sustainable country.

Mary Simon

[Screen Description: Governor General Designate Mary Simon is sitting in a room at Rideau Hall. She is talking to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II via video call. The Governor General Designate is wearing a white blazer. The Queen is wearing a floral-patterned, green-and-purple shirt, and a silver maple leaf brooch.]

[The Queen:] It’s very nice to have a chance to talk.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, Your Majesty, it’s wonderful to … to be able to speak to you today.

[The Queen:] So, you’re taking over a very important job.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’m very privileged to be able to do this work over the next few years. I think it’s vitally important for our … for our country.

[The Queen:] Indeed, yes. Because your work… your own work has been … you’ve been very busy.

[Ms. Simon:] Yes, I’ve devoted a lot of my time to working on Arctic issues, because I am from the Arctic...

[The Queen:] Yes. Yes.

[Ms. Simon:] … and also working to get a lot of things organized with the Indigenous peoples and the Inuit of Canada.