b'INUIT LEADERSHIPbuilding international relationships as the founding president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). The ICC, established in 1977, was instrumental in uniting Inuit communities across Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Chukotka in Russia. Through the ICC, Simon advocated for Indigenous rights on a global scale, helping to create a platform where Inuit voices could be heard in international negotiations.The ICC allowed Mary Simon to expand her worldview beyond Canadas borders, fostering connections between Indigenous communities worldwide, Adams says. That experience equipped her with the skills to advocate on behalf of Inuit people, not just locally but globally. It gave her the tools to bring those perspectives into her role as Governor General, which is some-thing Canada has never seen before.By leading the ICC, Simon learned the value of cross-cultural diplomacy and Indigenous self-determination. These experiences helped her become the formidable leader she is today, capable of navigating the complexities of both Indigenous governance and Canadas colonial structures.Adams believes Simons international work through the ICC paved the way for her to make an impact in her current role. Mary Simons ability to advocate for Inuit communities globally set the stage for her leadership in Canada. She knows how to navigate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous systems, and thats what makes her leadership so transformative.The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship CentresTThhee O Onntario Ftario Federederaation of Ition of Indigenous Fndigenous Friendship Criendship CenentrtresesThe Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centresstrives to improve the quality of lifefor urban Indigenous strstrivives tes to impro improovve the qualite the quality of lify of lifefefor uror urban Iban Indigenous ndigenous strives to improve the quality of lifefor urban Indigenous people by providing innovative research, policy, training people by pry prooviding innoviding innovvaativtive re researesearch, policch, policyy, tr, training aining people bpeople by providing innovative research, policy, training and community development to 29 Friendship Centres 31and c ommunity devy developmenelopment tt to 29 Fo 29 Friendship Criendship Cenentrtres es and communitand community development to 29 Friendship Centres across Ontario.across Onacr oss Ontartarioio. .across Ontario.Join the movementJoin the moJoin the movvemenementtJoin the movementScan the QR code to SScan the QR ccan the QR code tode to o Scan the QR code to acess our careers pageacess our caracess our careers pageeers pageacess our careers pageor visit oforgareersor visit ofofororggarareerseersor visit or visit oforgareers26Fall/Winter 2024'