Photo: Simon receives Canada’s Northern Medal

Governor General David Johnston stands with Mary Simon, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, who received Canada’s Northern Medal Sept. 20 at a ceremony at the Citadelle in Quebec City. “Ms. Simon’s commitment to the North is unwavering. She is working to build sustainable communities and to ensure that Northern Canada and the Inuit culture have a strong voice in the rest of the country,” Johnston said. Adrienne Clarkson, then governor general of Canada, created the Northern Medal in 2005. Past recipients include climate change activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier and filmmaker Zach Kunuk. (PHOTO BY SGT. RON DUCHESNE, RIDEAU HALL, COURTESY OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA)