Vice-regal trip ends in NWT
Governor General David Johnston, second from right, shows off a sealskin tie that was presented to him by the Government of the NWT at a ceremony at the Legislative Assembly on Sept. 6. Beside Johnston is Brendalynn Trennart whop made the tie. Also in the photo are Sharon Johnston, the Governor General's wife and Premier Bob McLeod. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
James O'Connor
Northern News Services
Monday, September 11, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon Johnston were in NWT last week, ending a long journey through the Northwest Passage at Yellowknife on Sept. 6.
Johnston met with Yellowknife Mayor Mark Heyck at city hall and presented medals to the community for public service.
Later, Johnston and his wife Sharon attended a reception in their honour inside the Great Hall at the legislative assembly. They were presented with a birch-bark basket and a sealskin tie, both locally made. They then chatted with people inside the Great Hall and listened to Dene drummers.
It was Johnston's second trip to Yellowknife as Governor General. He was first here in 2011, shortly after he assumed the role. Johnston's term is up this fall, when he will be replaced by former astronaut Julie Payette.
The Governor General told News/North he believes issues in the North are more front and centre across the country now than when he first sworn in.
"We clearly have momentum in that direction and yet we have a long way to go," he said.
"We need more and more of southerners understanding the North - and seeing the vastness of it and the wonderful resilience that there is in the North, the beauty of the North and of course the challenges."
Johnston and his wife board the Canada C3 icebreaker Sept. 3 for three days during the 11th leg of its 150-day journey from Toronto to Victoria through the Northwest Passage. The project is bringing 150 Canadians aboard the ship to reflect on diversity, reconciliation, youth engagement and the environment, according to the expedition's website.
The ship with the vice-regal on board made stops at: Kugluktuk and Bernard Harbour, NT; and Pierce Point and Paulatuk. The ship alone and its regular passengers went on to Tuktoyaktuk.
- with files from John McFadden
