Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon Delivers the 19th LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture in Calgary

The theme of the 2022 Lecture is Reconciliation and the evolution of Canada.

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is honoured to present the 19th LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture, to be delivered by Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon on October 6, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta.

The historical narrative of Canada has often ignored Indigenous voices and stories, negatively influencing how Indigenous peoples have been treated and perceived in this country. Many newcomers to Canada have limited or no experience with Indigenous issues, people, or culture throughout their citizenship journey. For newcomers to join the parallel path toward reconciliation, they need to understand Canada’s true history.

As Canada’s Governor General and the first Indigenous person to hold this office, Her Excellency is uniquely positioned to bring all Canadians together for this vital public discussion.

“The LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture exists to advance the promise of egalitarianism and inclusion so closely tied to these two founders of Responsible Government more than 180 years ago,” says ICC Co-Chair, John Ralston Saul.

This is the first time the LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture will be held in Calgary.

“We are thrilled to provide the forum in which Her Excellency can deliver this landmark address”, says ICC CEO, Daniel Bernhard. “Whether we are Canadians by birth or by choice makes no difference. It is every Canadian’s obligation to take part in the work of reconciliation—however and wherever they can.”

The 19th LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture is generously presented by the University of Calgary, with support from MobSquad, Arts Commons, The City of Calgary, Tourism Calgary, Canadian Western Bank, Calgary Foundation, and Air Canada.

Tickets go on sale September 8th and can be purchased here: https://www.artscommons.ca/whats-on/reconciliation-and-the-evolution-of-canada

About Her Excellency The Right Honourable Mary Simon

Born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec), Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon was sworn in on July 26, 2021, as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general.

Ms. Simon began her career as a radio broadcaster with the CBC Northern Service (now CBC North), and subsequently gained national and international recognition for her work on Arctic and Indigenous issues and for her efforts in advocating for Inuit rights, youth, education and culture. She was also actively involved in negotiations leading to the 1982 patriation of the Canadian Constitution, which formally entrenched Aboriginal and treaty rights in the supreme law of Canada. From 1994 to 2003, Ms. Simon served as ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, becoming the first Inuk to hold an ambassadorial position. For Ms. Simon’s full biography, click here.

About the Institute for Canadian Citizenship

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a national non-profit organization co-founded by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul. The ICC works to inspire Canadians to be inclusive, create opportunities to connect, and encourage active citizenship. Since 2005, the ICC has supported more than 450,000 new Canadian citizens with programming to encourage a sense of belonging and build a more inclusive Canada.

Read more about the LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture here.