Canada installs first indigenous governor general, highlights reconciliation

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks after Governor General Mary Simon took the oath to become the 30th Governor General of Canada in Ottawa, Canada July 26, 2021. Paul Chiasson/Pool via REUTERS

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada installed an indigenous woman as its governor general on Monday, the first such person to hold the post, in an elaborate ceremony that spotlighted the country's effort to reconcile with its colonial past.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Mary Simon - a former journalist, ambassador, and Inuit community advocate - to serve as the representative in Canada of its head of state, Queen Elizabeth, earlier this month.