By Alessia Passafiume Nunavik, where Gov. Gen. Mary Simon grew up, is a long way from Ottawa and farther still from Buckingham Palace. That never stopped her mother Nancy May, a unilingual Inuk, from keeping a photo of Queen Elizabeth on prominent display in their family home, or from filling young Mary Simon\u2019s mind with stories about the Queen\u2019s activities and travels. In 2021, at the age of 73, Simon\u2019s relationship with the Queen became something more personal when she was named her official representative in Canada \u2014 making her the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the role. \u201cI really always loved the Queen,\u201d Simon told The Canadian Press in the drawing room of Rideau Hall. \u201cThe Queen was always there.\u201d Simon, who has for years championed Canada\u2019s… <\/p>\n
By Alessia Passafiume Nunavik, where Gov. Gen. Mary Simon grew up, is a long way from Ottawa and farther still from Buckingham Palace. That never stopped her mother Nancy May, a unilingual Inuk, from keeping a photo of Queen Elizabeth on prominent display in their family home, or from filling young Mary Simon\u2019s mind with stories about the Queen\u2019s activities and travels. In 2021, at the age of 73, Simon\u2019s relationship with the Queen became something more personal when she was named her official representative in Canada \u2014 making her the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the role. \u201cI really always loved the Queen,\u201d Simon told The Canadian Press in the drawing room of Rideau Hall. \u201cThe Queen was always there.\u201d Simon, who has for years championed Canada\u2019s... <\/p>\n