RANKIN INLET, Nunavut – Michaelle Jean has begun her fifth – and possibly last – trip to the Arctic as Governor General.
Jean arrived on a frosty airstrip in Rankin Inlet today with her husband and daughter.
She will spend most of her weeklong tour in Nunavut, as she helps the territory celebrate its 10th anniversary.
The region expects to see unprecedented economic development in coming years but still faces staggering social challenges, including extreme poverty and poor education.
Jean is lobbying the federal government to help build a university in the Arctic so that more Inuit can share in the economic growth.
Before embarking on her trip, she said the notion of Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic is an “empty shell” unless Inuit people benefit from new development.
Jean is about to begin her fifth and possibly last year as the Queen’s representative.
