Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
Canada highlighted Marie simon as governor general. Simon becomes the first native to serve as official representative Ratu Elizabeth II in the Commonwealth of Nations.
“Today, after 154 years, our country is taking a historic step forward,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a press conference.
“I can’t think of a better person to meet right now.”
Simon is a former Inuit and Native American journalist, diplomat and human rights activist living in Canada and Alaska. He was also president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization.
Simon is also the leader of the Inuit Circle Conference, which represents Inuit in all Arctic countries, and Canada’s first Inuit Ambassador to Denmark.
His appointment to the post of viceroy, responsible for granting royal assent or doing acts authorized by parliamentary law as well as leading the Canadian army, comes at a difficult time in the country’s relations with the First Nations of the Canada.
The discovery of over 1,000 anonymous graves in a former Indigenous housing school shook Canada, anger and sorrow among Indigenous peoples.
Until the 1990s, approximately 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Métis youth were forcibly enrolled in 139 residential schools administered by the Catholic Church on behalf of the government.
Over 4,000 students have died of illness and neglect. Many speak of physical and sexual abuse by principals and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language.
Simon replaces former chief astronaut Julie Payette who resigned in January amid allegations of harassment and behavior described in a report as “yelling, screaming, aggressive behavior, derogatory comments and public humiliation.”
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court assumed most of the ceremonial roles in the interim.
The Governor General of Canada is appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Payette’s sudden departure has reignited the debate over the role of the monarchy in Canada, with just over half of the respondents in a recent poll in favor of abolishing the post of governor general.
Simon, who is fluent in English and Inuktitut (Canada’s main Inuit language), said he hopes, in this role, to bring all Canadians together “to understand our unique history, our unique culture and our way of living. life “.
“This is a moment that I hope all Canadians feel, as my appointment reflects our collective progress towards building a more inclusive, just and equal society,” he said.
(AFP / off)
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