What is Mary Simon’s legacy as governor general? Here are five views

Louise Arbour has taken over from Mary Simon as Canada’s governor general, ending a historic term in which Simon became the first Indigenous person in the role.

What did those five years mean to northerners?

On this page, we’ve collected the assessments of five Indigenous and non-Indigenous northerners who had unique insights into how Mary Simon’s term as governor general left a mark.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler, an Inuvik MLA and nurse by training, is now the territory’s health minister. She gave her views in a statement.

As an Inuvialuit who does not speak my language, I often reflect on what it meant to see The Right Honourable Mary Simon become Canada’s Governor General.

For many Inuit, it meant more than representation. It meant recognition. Recognition that Inuit voices, knowledge, resilience, and lived experiences belong at the highest levels of leadership in this country.

What stayed with me most was the pushback and questioning around language. As someone who does not know my own language, that conversation felt personal. Many Indigenous people carry the impacts of colonial systems that interrupted language, culture, and connection across generations. The loss of language is not a reflection of who we are or how deeply we belong to our identity.

To question an Inuk’s place in leadership because she did not speak French felt like missing a larger truth. An Inuit Governor General, one of the strongest examples of Indigenous representation in Canada, should not have had her place questioned in that way. At a time when Canada speaks about reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion, this should have been embraced as part of a stronger Indigenous dialogue, not scrutinized.

For people like me, who may not speak our language but still carry deep pride in being Inuk, her appointment mattered. It was a reminder that our identity is not measured by fluency alone. We are still Inuit. We still belong. And our voices still matter.

Seeing an Inuk in one of the highest offices in Canada mattered for Inuit youth, for those reconnecting to culture, and for future generations who deserve to see themselves reflected in leadership.

Representation matters not only in symbolism, but in shaping a country where Indigenous voices are respected and present at every table.

Gerald W Kisoun

Gerry Kisoun, an Inuvik resident of Inuvialuit and Gwich’in heritage, is the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories – the federal government’s representative in the territory. He gave his views in an interview last week.

I first met Mary Simon quite a number of years ago – a very active lady in regards to Inuit rights and a great advocate for the Inuit people.

I think many Indigenous people are very, very proud to have somebody like Mary Simon as the governor general of this country.

The impact that she’s had? She’s always advocating for the rights of northerners, especially of us Inuit people, and she’s just a great lady that never seems to stop.

She has made history. It’s the first time in the history of this country that any Indigenous person has become the governor general of this country. We’re marking the retirement of a governor general that came from our part of the world.

Anna Billowits

Anna Billowits, a Whitehorse resident, was invited as a non-Indigenous person to join the governor general’s advisory group on reconciliation. She gave her views in an interview on Monday.

I think the discussions we had as an advisory group were really important to Canadians as a whole, how the committee brought together First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-Indigenous individuals to talk about reconciliation in Canada.

Throughout Mary Simon’s career, she has been a shining light on reconciliation and working together, and has set an example for all Canadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, of the responsibility we all have to learn in truth and then work together in collaboration.

The memory that will stick with me is the presence that she takes in a room of pure positivity and dedication. That inspires everybody else in the room to be their best. It’s been a huge honour for me to have witnessed that, to be inspired by that, and to know that the work she does in those rooms makes a massive impact.

She demonstrated the expertise and incredible wealth of knowledge the North has to offer. I really appreciated her emphasis on community-led solutions in the North. I think there’s a collaborative way of doing things in the North that was really modelled by Mary Simon, and I think she has set a standard of how we work together.

One thing that won’t soon be forgotten is the way she shone a light on the importance of mental health, particularly in the North, and the way mental health needs to be addressed in a similar way as physical health.

We’re so fortunate to have such strong community leaders in the North, and that leadership can really benefit Canada at a national scale as well.

Rebecca Alty

Rebecca Alty is a former mayor of Yellowknife who now serves as the NWT’s MP and in Mark Carney’s cabinet as minister for Crown-Indigenous relations. She gave her views in a statement.

Governor General Mary Simon’s tenure has been deeply meaningful for Northerners and Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

As Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, she made history and inspired Indigenous youth across the country to see themselves reflected in the highest levels of public service and leadership.

Throughout her time in office, she brought a steady focus to reconciliation, Indigenous languages, mental health, and the realities of life in the North.

Her legacy extends far beyond her historic appointment.

She elevated northern and Indigenous voices, strengthened understanding between communities, and showed what Indigenous leadership can achieve.

At a time of important conversations about Canada’s history and future, she led with wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

RJ Simpson

An MLA representing Hay River, Simpson has been the NWT’s premier since late 2023. He gave his views in a statement.

For people across the Northwest Territories and the Arctic, Mary Simon’s appointment as Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General carried deep meaning. Throughout her life and her time in office, she brought northern and Indigenous perspectives to the centre of national conversations and reminded Canadians that the North is a vital part of who we are as a country.

Her Excellency has been a tireless advocate for reconciliation, for Indigenous languages and cultures, and for the health and well-being of northern and Indigenous communities.

Her Mental Health Learning and Listening Tour helped shine a national spotlight on challenges that many Northerners know all too well, while also elevating the strength, resilience, and leadership that exist within our communities.

Her visit to Tuktoyaktuk with the President of Germany was particularly appreciated in the NWT, bringing focus to the community and the Beaufort Delta. Throughout her time as Governor General, Mary Simon led with dignity, humility, and compassion. She understood the realities of life in the North and used her platform to ensure northern voices were heard at the highest levels. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders across Canada.