OTTAWA -- Mary Simon conveyed a message of hope, inclusiveness, and resilience as she delivered her first speech after being sworn in as the country’s 30th Governor General and the first Indigenous person to hold the position. Simon reflected on her childhood in Arctic Quebec, living a “traditional” lifestyle in Nunavik, travelling by dog team or boat, and hunting and fishing to gather food. She said she valued the dual perspective of the Inuit world and the non-Inuit southern world that her parents gave her. During her career working in public policy and legislative reform, Simon said she had the privilege of witnessing Canada’s rich diversity, something she pledges to uphold. She acknowledged the country’s frayed relationship with Indigenous Peoples and that Canada must do more to respect all cultures and ethnicities, adding that she will seek to “build bridges” between people of diverse backgrounds.