Canada names first Indigenous governor general Posted : 2021-07-07 11:25 Updated : 2021-07-07 11:25 Mary Simon attends a news conference where she is announced as the next Governor General of Canada in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, July 6. Reuters-Yonhap An Inuk leader who has served as a Canadian diplomat was named the country's first Indigenous representative of the crown on Tuesday ― an announcement that comes in the wake of a scandal over the nation's long mistreatment of Indigenous people. In naming the next governor general, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'it is only by building bridges'' can the people of Canada move forward together.