Whitehorse, Thursday, June 21, 2007

At long last, the days of endless sun have replaced those of endless night.

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are absolutely delighted to be celebrating National Aboriginal Day with you.

Today we recognize the priceless contribution that Aboriginal people have made to our history, our unique identity and our aspirations for the future.

Since my installation as Governor General of Canada, I have met a great many women and men, young and not-so-young, from Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities all over this enormous country of ours.

I sincerely believe that Aboriginal cultures are part of the heritage of each and every Canadian and form the very basis of our collective identity.

I believe that the freedom so abundant in our country, so palpable in the Far North, must never become the privilege of some to the exclusion of others.

I would even say that this freedom begins with the sweeping landscapes, majestic waters and fertile soil whose spirit you, the Aboriginal peoples, have interpreted for us.

It was you who first celebrated the riches of this land; it was you who taught the settlers—from the first explorers to the latest newcomers—to put down roots on this continent.

Let us never forget this. As I often say: you are our deepest roots in North America.

The extraordinary respect that you show for the land, traditions, your cultures and languages—for all of creation itself—is an important lesson for all of humanity.

I want to be a strong voice for you south of the sixtieth parallel and as I travel the world.

I join so many others today in praising the determination of the Aboriginal people to succeed in the modern world while preserving your traditional ways of life. The determination to successfully take ownership over your destiny.

We applaud your resolve to preserve your heritage and history for future generations.

And we commend your desire to see each and every member of your community, each and every youth of your community, reach their full potential through education and learning.

Today we celebrate all the efforts made by Aboriginal people and their unwavering determination. We celebrate your strengths and your achievements.

I am proud of you, and I am proud to carry in me even a flicker of your timeless wisdom that all Canadians should carry with them, in their hearts and in their minds.

I want nothing more than for us to work together to shape the ongoing course of our history.

I am confident. We must dream big.

In the spirit of friendship, on this, the summer solstice, when the sun shines brightest on Earth, my husband and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and extend our hands to you in the hope that we can work together to better this world.