Governor General says protests 'changed' Canada, must work on respect for each other

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said she did not get involved in the politics of the protests, or meet any of the protesters, although she was kept closely informed of the tumultuous events on her doorstep.

Inuit languages were banned at Kuujjuaq federal day school in northern Quebec and Simon recalls being punished “many times” for speaking Inuktitut rather than English in the classroom. 

“From grade one to grade six we were not allowed to speak our language on school property or in the classroom or in school at all,” she said in an interview.

More than six decades later, as Governor General of Canada, Simon delivered the throne speech not just in the country's official languages, English and French, but in Inuktitut, a groundbreaking moment in Canadian history. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed her to the role last year and she moved into Rideau Hall, the grand official residence in Ottawa. As the Queen’s representative in Canada, she plays not only a key ceremonial role, but serves as an apolitical figurehead for the country.