Indigenous leaders welcome appointment of Canada's newest Governor General
The appointment of Mary Simon as Canada's Governor General is a moment for the history books – as the advocate, ambassador and Inuk leader becomes the country's first Indigenous person in that position.
In the Maritimes, Indigenous leaders are welcoming word of the decision, as a monumental moment and major step on the path of reconciliation, as Simon herself has noted.
"To know that it's an Indigenous woman who is going to be representing all Canadians, not just Indigenous, but all Canadians," says Lorraine Whitman of the Native Women's Association of Canada.
"She certainly has the credentials to be able to do it, and so I'm certainly excited in that it is a historical moment."
Graydon Nicholas of the Tobique First Nation is someone who knows first-hand about breaking barriers – he was New Brunswick's first Indigenous judge and lieutenant-governor.
Today, he says he's proud of Simon and commends the choice to name her as the country's 30th governor general.
"The fact that it's an Indigenous woman is fruitful because of what's happening in this country with respect to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls – and the report that was completed a number of years ago," says Nicholas.
"Secondly, also, because of the recommendations and the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation commission in 2015. I think all these are very important factors with respect to greater awareness in our country of Indigenous presence."
Chief of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, Barry Labillois, says Simon's appointment has left him ecstatic.
"With Mary in this position, it's going to help our people now, because we have someone in power," says Labillois.
"I think it's just a major step going forward."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.