June 13, 2006
OTTAWA -- Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct their first regional visit to the Northwest Territories from June 19 to 23, 2006. The five-day visit will begin in Yellowknife with stops in Fort Simpson and in the Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada.
"Jean-Daniel Lafond and I are thrilled that our first visit to the Northwest Territories coincides with National Aboriginal Day, the annual summer Solstice Festival and the 25th True North Concert, celebrations that bring to life the Territories' rich cultural heritage and unique contributions," said the Governor General. "While in the Northwest Territories, we hope to forge links with as many of you as possibleyoung people, elders, women, members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, as well as artists and the Territories' Francophone community. Each and every one of you has valuable lessons to teach and we will be listening."
Meeting with the Aboriginal community, youth and women will indeed be at the core of the Governor General's visit to the Northwest Territories. Highlights will include celebrating National Aboriginal Day with a fire ceremony and a community feast in Fort Simpson, engaging in a discussion with young people at the Side Door Youth Centre in Yellowknife on the challenges of homelessness in a Northern context, taking part in a sod-turning ceremony for the city of Yellowknife's future homeless shelter, attending the True North Concert, learning more about the proposed expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve by visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a discussion on family violence prevention with representatives of organizations that work with women across the Northwest Territories.
As he has done in previous regional visits across the country, His Excellency Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will continue to address the themes of art and civic engagement when he meets with Yellowknife filmmakers, artists and cultural leaders. As part of a continuous dialogue with Francophones across Canada, Mr. Lafond will also meet with the Territories' Francophone community leaders.
The public will have the chance to see the Governor General during the official welcoming ceremony, which will be followed by a tree-planting ceremony and a walkabout on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife, as well as during a community tour and a community feast in Fort Simpson.
This will be the ninth provincial or territorial visit by the Governor General since the beginning of her mandate nine months ago. Governors general traditionally travel to every province and territory during their first year in office. Up to now, the Governor General has visited Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
A detailed itinerary of the Governor General's visit to the Northwest Territories will follow. Please visit our Web site at www.gg.ca for more information on the Governor General.
-30-
Media informationMarilyne GuèvremontRideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280
Julia MottCoordinator, Cabinet CommunicationsOffice of the PremierGovernment of the Northwest Territories(867) 669-2304