Gov. Gen Mary Simon visits Mealy Mountains to close out Labrador trip 

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon finished her first official visit to Labrador by visiting one of the country's most remote national parks, the Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve. 

Simon travelled by helicopter Thursday to one of the traditional Innu camps, located at Swallow Harbour, known in Innu-aimun as Amiskᵁ Shippiss.

Located about 100 kilometres northeast of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in central Labrador, it's one of the sites where the Innu hope to welcome tourists in the future. 

"They really, really were intrigued and really interested in coming back and learning more and supporting the idea and the vision that we want to expose to the world about this area and about the Innu culture as well," said Jack Penashue, the Innu Nation's superintendent of Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak.

"Innu people have always wanted to host non-Innu people, but they never had that opportunity because of the language [barrier], because of the culture," said Penashue. "So with [Simon's] visit, it was very, very welcoming event."

Innu tents were set up along the shore, where Penashue hopes to begin a trail to a nearby large waterfall. Simon ate traditional foods, including Innu donuts, salmon and red berry jam. 

Innu elders, Innu Nation guardians, Parks Canada staff and Innu youths taking part in a Students on Ice expedition were able to meet Simon.

"They really, really were intrigued and really interested in coming back and learning more and supporting the idea and the vision that we want to expose to the world about this area and about the Innu culture as well," Penashue said. 

"It's really been kind of an eyeopener and it's really nice to see that as a kind of a kickoff to opening the national park."

There is still work to be done before the Innu begin formally bringing tourists to the park, with work to create trails to significant sites and waterfalls starting this fall, Penashue said. 

During her visit, Simon awarded the Coronation Medal to Valerie Courtois, a leader in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship. The medal, which commemorates the coronation of King Charles, is given to people who have made a significant contribution to the country. 

Courtois, the executive director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, holds honorary doctorates from the University of Guelph and Laval University, and was named to Time's list of the world's most influential climate leaders in 2023. 

"It's really, really special to receive that honour, for her to have taken the time to do it here on the land in a part of the world that really set me on my own personal and professional path," Courtois said. "I'm really touched and honoured."

Courtois's medal is only the second of 100 medals that Simon will hand out.