Former governor general speaks at Iqaluit Black History Month celebration

Nunavut’s Black History Society marked 10 years of Black History Month celebrations with an opening ceremony and awards presentation at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit Sunday. Michaëlle Jean, former governor general of Canada — the first Haitian-Canadian and Black person to hold this office — was a special guest and spoke of the shared challenges, resilience and partnership of the Black community and Inuit in her keynote speech. “Diversity, inclusion and reconciliation go hand-in-hand,” Jean said. “By coming together with fresh minds, open hearts and determined wills we can put reconciliation into action to ensure equal access for all aspects of society and life in Canada.” The society is screening ‘A Woman of Purpose,’ a documentary on Jean by her partner, Jean-Daniel Lafond, at the Astro Theatre in Iqaluit at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The event is free to attend. (Photo by Meral Jamal)