President's Statement

Inuit Remember Former Governor General Romeo Leblanc

Submitted by hendrie on Thursday, June 25, 2009

National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami issued this statement today:

“Inuit were saddened to learn of the death of former Governor General, The Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc.
Although Mr. LeBlanc may be better known as the first Acadian Governor General, and as a role model for the Acadian people, he also was well known to Inuit.
 
In addition to his other notable accomplishments we remember Mr. LeBlanc as a champion for the rights of Canadian Aboriginal people. We remember that it was during his term as Governor General that National Aboriginal Day was first proclaimed in 1996, and that he presided over the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999.
 
Mr. LeBlanc will be missed not only by those who knew him in his private and public life, but also by those whose lives he touched.
On behalf of all Canadian Inuit I offer my condolences to his wife, family, and friends”

Stats2