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Inuit leader to give talk about Canadian sovereignty at UPEI on November 20
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Mary Simon, national leader of the Inuit and president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), will give a talk called “Inuit and the Canadian Arctic: Sovereignty Begins at Home” at the University of Prince Edward on Thursday, November 20.
Simon’s talk at UPEI will take place in Room 242 of the Don and Marion McDougall Hall, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Her visit to P.E.I. is part of a national speaking tour to help Canadians become better informed about contemporary issues facing Inuit in the Canadian Arctic, such as climate change, sovereignty, and social and economic challenges.
“We want Canadians in the south to understand our issues and take them up with their local politicians,” says Simon. “We are asking Canadians throughout this wonderful country to help us Inuit in our efforts to improve the Arctic, our communities and society and hence make this a better Canada.”
Simon’s presentation will underline the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to sovereignty. She is urging Canadians to write to members of Parliament in support of the Inuit approach to the issue, which is positive, progressive, collaborative and participatory.
“We are thrilled that Mary Simon will share her deep knowledge of, and experience with, the Inuit community with us,” says UPEI education professor Fiona Walton. “UPEI has a strong connection to Nunavut, offering the first-ever graduate degree program in the territory. In the spring of 2009, 21 Inuit students will proudly receive their Master of Education in Leadership and Learning degrees, providing them with the knowledge and skills to lead improvements in education in Nunavut.”
Simon has devoted her life’s work towards gaining further recognition of Aboriginal rights and to achieving social justice for Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples nationally and internationally. In 2006 she was elected president of the ITK, the national organization representing Canada’s 45,000 Inuit.
She has held numerous high-profile positions, including Canadian ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs from 1994 to 2003, and concurrently, ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2001. She was a member of the joint public advisory committee of NAFTA's Commission on Environmental Cooperation from 1997 to 2000, and chairperson from 1997 to 1998. She served as chancellor of Trent University from 1995 to 1999.
Simon has received many honours for her leadership in developing strategies for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, including the Order of Canada, National Order of Quebec, the Gold Order of Greenland, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. She holds honorary degrees from McGill, Queen's, Trent and Memorial universities, and has published a book called Inuit: One Arctic - One Future.
Simon’s talk at UPEI will take place in Room 242 of the Don and Marion McDougall Hall, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Her visit to P.E.I. is part of a national speaking tour to help Canadians become better informed about contemporary issues facing Inuit in the Canadian Arctic, such as climate change, sovereignty, and social and economic challenges.
“We want Canadians in the south to understand our issues and take them up with their local politicians,” says Simon. “We are asking Canadians throughout this wonderful country to help us Inuit in our efforts to improve the Arctic, our communities and society and hence make this a better Canada.”
Simon’s presentation will underline the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to sovereignty. She is urging Canadians to write to members of Parliament in support of the Inuit approach to the issue, which is positive, progressive, collaborative and participatory.
“We are thrilled that Mary Simon will share her deep knowledge of, and experience with, the Inuit community with us,” says UPEI education professor Fiona Walton. “UPEI has a strong connection to Nunavut, offering the first-ever graduate degree program in the territory. In the spring of 2009, 21 Inuit students will proudly receive their Master of Education in Leadership and Learning degrees, providing them with the knowledge and skills to lead improvements in education in Nunavut.”
Simon has devoted her life’s work towards gaining further recognition of Aboriginal rights and to achieving social justice for Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples nationally and internationally. In 2006 she was elected president of the ITK, the national organization representing Canada’s 45,000 Inuit.
She has held numerous high-profile positions, including Canadian ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs from 1994 to 2003, and concurrently, ambassador to Denmark from 1999 to 2001. She was a member of the joint public advisory committee of NAFTA's Commission on Environmental Cooperation from 1997 to 2000, and chairperson from 1997 to 1998. She served as chancellor of Trent University from 1995 to 1999.
Simon has received many honours for her leadership in developing strategies for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, including the Order of Canada, National Order of Quebec, the Gold Order of Greenland, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. She holds honorary degrees from McGill, Queen's, Trent and Memorial universities, and has published a book called Inuit: One Arctic - One Future.
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Anna MacDonald
Media Relations and Communications, Integrated Communications
