Mary Simon
Encyclopedia
Mary J. May Simon, is a former Canadian diplomat
and current fellow
with the Arctic Institute of North America
. Early in her career, she was a producer and announcer for CBC North
, and later entered public service as secretary of the board for the Northern Quebec Inuit Association. Simon was Canada's first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, and was a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council
. She also later served as ambassador
to Denmark
.
, and completed her high school via correspondence in Kuujjuaq. She is the second oldest of eight children (four brothers and three sisters), and has three children of her own (two sons and one daughter).
, she began her career as a public servant by being elected Secretary of the Board of Directors of the . In 1978, she was elected as Vice-President of the Makivik Corporation, later on becoming President, a position she held until 1985. During this period she also became involved with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
, Canada's National Inuit
Organization.
From 1980 to 1994 she served as Executive Council Member, President, and Special Envoy of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
(ICC). During this period she assisted in obtaining approval from the Russian Government to allow the Inuit of the Chukotka Peninsula to participate in ICC. In 1986, as President of ICC, Simon led a delegation of Canadian, Alaskan, and Greenland
Inuit to Moscow
and then to Chukotka to meet with Russian Officials as well as the Inuit of the Far East of Russia. In 1987 the ICC was successful in efforts the resulted in the Russian government allowing Russian Inuit to attend the 1989 ICC General Assembly held in Alaska
.
Simon was one of the senior Inuit negotiators during the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution, during First Minister Meetings that took place from 1982 to 1992, as well as during the 1992 Charlottetown Accord
discussions.
She also served as a member of the Nunavut Implementation Commission
in 1993.
In 1994 Simon was appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
to be the first Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, a position she held until 2003. Acting on instructions from the government of Canada she took the lead role in negotiating the creation of an eight country council known today as the Arctic Council
. The Ottawa Declaration of 1996 formally established the Arctic Council which includes the active participation of the indigenous peoples of the circumpolar world. During her Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and later as the Canadian Government Senior Arctic Official, she worked closely with the Indigenous Permanent Participant’s of the Arctic Council, and the seven other Arctic Countries it comprises.
During this time period she also:
From November 2004 to February 2005 she assisted with the facilitation and write-up of reports on the “Sectoral Follow-up Sessions” announced by Prime Minister Paul Martin following the April 19, 2004 Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable on Strengthening the Relationship on Health, Life Long learning, Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations, and Accountability for Results.
From 2004 to 2005 Simon was special advisor to the Labrador Inuit Association on the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, and was appointed president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on July 7, 2006.
and of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and has received honorary doctorate of law degrees from McGill University
, Queen's University
, Trent University
, and the University of Guelph
.
Other positions currently held
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and current fellow
Research fellow
The title of research fellow is used to denote a research position at a university or similar institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator...
with the Arctic Institute of North America
Arctic Institute of North America
The Arctic Institute of North America is mandated to study the North American and circumpolar Arctic in the areas of natural science, social science, arts and the humanities. In addition, it acquires, preserves and disseminates information on environmental, physical, and social conditions in the...
. Early in her career, she was a producer and announcer for CBC North
CBC North
CBC North is the name for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's radio and television service in the Canadian Arctic. Originally known as the CBC Northern Service, its first operations began in 1958 with radio broadcasts including the takeover of CFYK, originally a Royal Canadian Signal...
, and later entered public service as secretary of the board for the Northern Quebec Inuit Association. Simon was Canada's first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, and was a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
. She also later served as ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Personal life
Simon was born to Bob Mardon May and Nancy May (née Angnatuk-Askew). She attended Kuujjuaq Federal Day School in Kuujjuaq (formerly Fort Chimo), Fort Carson High School in ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, and completed her high school via correspondence in Kuujjuaq. She is the second oldest of eight children (four brothers and three sisters), and has three children of her own (two sons and one daughter).
Career
Originally a producer and announcer for CBC NorthCBC North
CBC North is the name for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's radio and television service in the Canadian Arctic. Originally known as the CBC Northern Service, its first operations began in 1958 with radio broadcasts including the takeover of CFYK, originally a Royal Canadian Signal...
, she began her career as a public servant by being elected Secretary of the Board of Directors of the . In 1978, she was elected as Vice-President of the Makivik Corporation, later on becoming President, a position she held until 1985. During this period she also became involved with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is a nonprofit organization in Canada that represents over 50,400 Inuit. It was founded in 1971 by Tagak Curley as the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada...
, Canada's National Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
Organization.
From 1980 to 1994 she served as Executive Council Member, President, and Special Envoy of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Originally known as the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is a multinational non-governmental organization representing the 150,000 Inuit people living in the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Russia.The Conference, which first met in June 1984 in Barrow, Alaska,...
(ICC). During this period she assisted in obtaining approval from the Russian Government to allow the Inuit of the Chukotka Peninsula to participate in ICC. In 1986, as President of ICC, Simon led a delegation of Canadian, Alaskan, and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
Inuit to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and then to Chukotka to meet with Russian Officials as well as the Inuit of the Far East of Russia. In 1987 the ICC was successful in efforts the resulted in the Russian government allowing Russian Inuit to attend the 1989 ICC General Assembly held in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
Simon was one of the senior Inuit negotiators during the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution, during First Minister Meetings that took place from 1982 to 1992, as well as during the 1992 Charlottetown Accord
Charlottetown Accord
The Charlottetown Accord was a package of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada, proposed by the Canadian federal and provincial governments in 1992. It was submitted to a public referendum on October 26 of that year, and was defeated.-Background:...
discussions.
She also served as a member of the Nunavut Implementation Commission
Nunavut Implementation Commission
The Nunavut Implementation Commission was a federally appointed body of nine political figures and community leaders appointed from across Northwest Territories, Canada to establish and implement policy towards the division of Northwest Territories and the creation of Nunavut.The commission was in...
in 1993.
In 1994 Simon was appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
to be the first Canadian Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, a position she held until 2003. Acting on instructions from the government of Canada she took the lead role in negotiating the creation of an eight country council known today as the Arctic Council
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
. The Ottawa Declaration of 1996 formally established the Arctic Council which includes the active participation of the indigenous peoples of the circumpolar world. During her Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and later as the Canadian Government Senior Arctic Official, she worked closely with the Indigenous Permanent Participant’s of the Arctic Council, and the seven other Arctic Countries it comprises.
During this time period she also:
- held the position of Canadian Ambassador to Denmark (1999–2001),
- was a member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee of the North American Free Trade AgreementNorth American Free Trade AgreementThe North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
(NAFTA) Commission on Environmental Cooperation (1997–2000) and held the chairperson position for the Commission from 1997 to 1998, - was the ChancellorChancellorChancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Trent UniversityTrent UniversityTrent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
, and - was appointed Councilor for the International Council for Conflict Resolution with the Carter CenterCarter CenterThe Carter Center is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter. In partnership with Emory University, The Carter Center works to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering...
in 2001
From November 2004 to February 2005 she assisted with the facilitation and write-up of reports on the “Sectoral Follow-up Sessions” announced by Prime Minister Paul Martin following the April 19, 2004 Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable on Strengthening the Relationship on Health, Life Long learning, Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations, and Accountability for Results.
From 2004 to 2005 Simon was special advisor to the Labrador Inuit Association on the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, and was appointed president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on July 7, 2006.
Honours
Mary Simon has received national recognition for her leadership and innovation in developing strategies for Aboriginal and Northern affairs.- Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, November 17, 2005, - National Order of QuebecNational Order of QuebecThe National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
, January 21, 1992, - the Gold Order of Greenland (1992),
- the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1998), and;
- Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical SocietyThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
(October 22, 1998). - Symon Medel, November 3, 2009,
Current positions and memberships
Mary May Simon is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North AmericaArctic Institute of North America
The Arctic Institute of North America is mandated to study the North American and circumpolar Arctic in the areas of natural science, social science, arts and the humanities. In addition, it acquires, preserves and disseminates information on environmental, physical, and social conditions in the...
and of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and has received honorary doctorate of law degrees from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
, and the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
.
Other positions currently held
- Chairperson, the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation
- Board Member, National Aboriginal Achievement FoundationNational Aboriginal Achievement FoundationThe National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples in Canada, especially youth to achieve their potential.-About:To date the Foundation through its...
- Member, Board of Governor’s, University of the ArcticUniversity of the ArcticThe University of the Arctic is an international cooperative network based in the circumpolar region, consisting of universities, colleges and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the North...
- Board Member for the Canadian Millennium Foundation
- Board Member, International Institute for Sustainable Development
- Council Member, Crossing Boundaries National Council
- Treasurer and Board Member, Tungasuvvingat Inuit Centre (Ottawa based Centre for Inuit living in Ottawa and the surrounding area)
- Member of Advisory Circle, Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation
- Council Member, The National Police Services Advisory Council.
- Advisor to the European Space AgencyEuropean Space AgencyThe European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
(Arctic Monitoring Program) - Patron, Northern Youth Abroad Program