November 20, 2024

Hello, bonjour, [Inuktitut greeting].

Congratulations to those being recognized today with the Governor General’s History Awards.

We have the honour of gathering today on Treaty 1 Territory and the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. 

Land acknowledgements like these recognize a more complete history of Canada – one that includes the rich and diverse history of Indigenous peoples.

I learned a lot about Inuit History by listening to my grandmother as she shared her memories with me.

I am very happy to see different voices represented in the way history is taught today.

More and more, I sense an inclusive attitude in the choices around museum exhibitions, community history projects and media documentaries.

In colleges and universities across Canada, history courses are challenging the traditional narrative of stories. They are focusing on a greater diversity of perspectives from the past – on the perspectives of communities that have been ignored for too long.

I also feel that Canadians really want to learn about the history they were never taught.

Just think about the wave of compassion that emerged after the release of testimonies from Survivors of the residential school system.

People were deeply moved to discover this dark chapter of our national history, and I believe they are eager to learn more.

Your work helps to present the diverse stories that have shaped the country we know today.

And for this, we are grateful to you.

You highlight lesser-known viewpoints in history, from the rich contributions of Chinese Canadians to courageous figures of the Black liberation movements.

You created projects that brought together residents from different backgrounds around the history of their community.

I am also impressed by the teachers being honoured today.

You have found creative ways for your students to go well beyond textbooks and discover surprising aspects of history.

You’ve guided them to search public archives, visit cemeteries and museums, research food traditions, and conduct interviews with Indigenous Elders and others who can testify about the past.

Thanks to you, your students have seen that history is alive.

Thank you for arousing young people's curiosity about history. By understanding the past, they will better understand the present and the future.

Your work helps to honour the past so we might build a better, more inclusive society for the future.

Congratulations, once again, to all of you.

Thank you. Merci. Miigwetch. Nakurmiik.