May 29, 2025
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Welcome to Rideau Hall for this presentation of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards.
Before we get started, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.
Indigenous peoples have always been innovative, too.
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have been adapting and innovating to meet the challenges facing our territory and our communities, including to protect our environment.
I am honoured to recognize your contributions, particularly during Canadian Innovation Week.
In 10 years, we’ve presented over fifty awards to some of Canada’s most influential innovators.
It’s essential to honour those who, like you, are expanding the frontiers of knowledge and ushering in progress across diverse fields—from science and technology to the arts.
A shining example of this is Christi Belcourt—a Métis artist, environmentalist, and activist—who created the magnificent work we see before us today.
Christi Belcourt received the Governor General’s Award for Innovation in 2016. She gives new impetus to the promotion of Aboriginal cultures.
Through her multidisciplinary work, she offers innovative ways of reimagining our relationships—with one another and with nature—to address some of society’s most urgent challenges. Issues of education. Issues of social justice.
Here, through colours and brushstrokes that celebrate Métis culture and knowledge, she reminds us of the deep interconnectedness of all life. And of our shared responsibility to confront the climate emergency threatening our planet.
Canada needs innovators like Christi Belcourt—and like you—to help build a society that is more environmentally responsible, more inclusive, safer, and healthier.
We are grateful for your boldness.
Whether you’re accelerating climate action, advancing medical research, or developing tools to prevent overdoses and violence, your ideas and contributions are truly transformative.
You’ve dared to look beyond the beaten path—perhaps even beyond conventional logic at times.
Albert Einstein said: “Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Keep dreaming.
To all of you: congratulations on receiving this well-deserved honour.