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Board Members
Mary May Simon
Mary May Simon was born in Kangirsualuujuaq (George River) in Nunavik (Northern Quebec). She was the Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from 1994 to 2003. Ms. Simon was the Canadian Ambassador to Denmark (1999-2001) concurrently during her Circumpolar position, a member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee of NAFTA's Commission on Environmental Cooperation (1997-2000), and was the chairperson from 1997-98. Ms. Simon was the Chancellor of Trent University (1995 to 1999). In 2001, she was appointed Councillor for the International Council for Conflict Resolution with the Carter Center.
Ms. Simon has devoted her life's work towards gaining further recognition of Aboriginal rights and to promoting the study of Northern affairs. She began her career with the CBC Northern Service as a producer and announcer. She was subsequently elected Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association (1976-1978). From 1978-1985, Ms. Simon was elected 1st Vice-President and then President of the Makivik Corporation and went on to hold a number of positions with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada's National Inuit Organization. For 14 years (1980-1994), she served as Executive Council Member, President and Special Envoy of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference.
Mary Simon has received many honours for her leadership in developing strategies for Aboriginal and Northern affairs. She has been awarded the Order of Canada, National Order of Quebec, the Gold Order of Greenland, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America and of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
She has received honorary doctorate of law degrees from both McGill and Queen's Universities.
Ambassador Simon has gained the respect of many heads of government and international organizations through her diplomacy and firmness of purpose. She has become a respected international advisor on important issues such as the environment, human rights, scientific research and development and peace.
Currently, Ms Simon is the Chair of the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation, a member of the Board of Governor's for the University of the Arctic, Board Member for the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and the Crossing Boundaries National Council.
Mary May Simon left IISD in June 2007