Manon Jeannotte, of the Mi'kmaq First Nation of Gespeg, has been appointed as new lietenant-governor of Quebec.
OTTAWA, Ont.-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Manon Jeannotte, as the new lieutenant-governor of Quebec. Jeannotte is from the Mi'kmaq First Nation of Gespeg.
"Manon Jeannotte has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous peoples' well-being and making a real difference in the life of our communities," said Prime Minister Trudeau. "I am confident she will continue to make significant contributions and inspire people in Quebec and across Canada in her new role."
Jeannotte has over 20 years of experience in management positions and in setting strategic directions as an intrapreneur and entrepreneur.
Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to supporting healthy, safe, and prosperous Indigenous communities, with a focus on policy, governance, and advocacy. Most recently, as co-lead of the First Nations Executive Education at the École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal (HEC Montréal), she served as director and helped empower Indigenous leaders to improve the socio-economic outcomes of their communities.
Prior to joining HEC Montréal, Ms. Jeannotte served for 12 years in leadership roles within her community, the Nation Micmac de Gespeg, including as a councillor and as chief.
Ms. Jeannotte is a graduate of the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive Master of Business Administration program and the recipient of its inaugural scholarship for Indigenous managers. Her impactful contributions to commemorating First Nations and Inuit history in Quebec have earned her recognition from the Quebec Council of Senior Federal Officials and a fellowship from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through which she was able to take part in dialogue sessions on UNESCO's activities to support Indigenous Peoples.
She has devoted over two decades of her life to improving the well-being of Indigenous communities, particularly in the fields of policy, governance, and advocacy. Her work to shine a light on the history of First Nations and Inuit in Quebec earned her recognition from the Quebec Council of Senior Federal Officials.
The Mi'kmaq Nation Council of Gespeg welcomed the appointment, hailing Jeannotte as an "exemplary ambassador." In a press release, the council said "the entire Gespeg community is proud to see a person as committed and competent as Manon Jeannotte occupy this important position."
Jeannotte says her background as an Indigenous person will help her bring communities together in the province.
"For me, the priority has always been reconciliation, working together, being there for everyone," Jeannotte said. "I want us to find a way, as a society, to progress together, to understand each other better."
