Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Speech on the Occasion of the Urban Arts Forum
Ottawa, Wednesday, November 7, 2007
How are you?
I am overjoyed to be here at Club SAW and SAW Gallery, in front of some of the most creative minds of Ottawa and Gatineau.
Let me begin by telling you that when I became governor general of Canada, I was determined to help give a voice to young Canadians.
During my career as a journalist, I had met many young people who had simply given up. They believed that society was indifferent to their situation, unwilling to help them reach their highest potential.
Lacking a sense of belonging and self-worth, some even told me that they had turned to criminal gangs to find the recognition and support they could not find elsewhere. Organized crime was more than happy to use this vulnerability and sense of powerlessness to its advantage.
After each interview, I asked myself what could be done to convince them that it is worth striving for their dreams and aspirations.
What could be done to help them recognize that they too have an important contribution to make to society?
What could be done to help others understand that the health of a democratic society is predicated on its ability to include, involve and listen to all its younger citizens?
Now as governor general of Canada, I have had the privilege of traveling from coast to coast to coast. This has been an opportunity for me to meet, reflect and collaborate with young Canadians in their communities.
And, I have learned a lot.
I have been struck by their sophisticated understanding of the major issues of the day.
I have been moved by their unwavering commitment to social change and living togetherness.
And I have been touched by the extent to which they have found in the arts a way to combat social exclusion and indifference, together.
These initiatives were so impressive that I was inspired to undertake a tour of Canadian cities to highlight the ways in which young people are using the urban arts as a means to reflect about their problems, to fight against crime, to have their voices heard, and to mobilize their communities around social change.
This event with you tonight is actually the fifth urban arts forum I have held in Canada.
During the first forum at the Quickdraw Animation Society in Calgary, young artists told me how the arts helped them overcome abuse and neglect.
In Toronto, at the Whippersnapper Gallery, young artists told me how the urban arts can actually “save lives.”
In Winnipeg, at the Graffiti Gallery, young artists told me how the urban arts are an effective tool to combat street gangs, drugs as well as abuse. In fact, they have since created a community-wide initiative to rid their neighbourhood of gangs, drugs and violence.
In Montreal, at the Maison des jeunes de la Côte-des-Neiges, young artists told me how the urban arts could rehabilitate youth in trouble with the law, help reduce violence, and unite people around common aims.
What amazed me was the fact that these artists reflected so many colours of the rainbow.
Some hailed from the farthest corners of the earth. Others traced their lineage back to the indigenous peoples who first inhabited this beautiful land.
Many came from humble backgrounds. Others did not.
But, this diversity did not prevent them from working together.
Quite the contrary: they found in the arts a vehicle through which they could express and achieve together their commitment to breaking down the solitudes that are still very real in many parts of our country.
So I am here today because I believe in your capacity to make a difference.
I believe in your unique message of hope.
I believe that the rest of the country needs to learn from what you are doing.
I also believe that the arts—whether it is rap, multimedia, sculpture, spoken word, poetry, graffiti, painting, theatre, locking or popping—have a major role to play in bringing us together.
So I look forward to hearing about your involvement in the arts, learning about what you have achieved, and understanding how you think we can all collaborate to build a better and stronger society.
Because this is all about shared responsibilities.
Responsibilities that are so important in a time in which the attitude of “everyone for himself,” or what some of you call the “bling bling mentality,” is so pervasive.
Before I conclude, let me introduce four people who are very important to me, as we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Order of Canada, the Order that recognizes the lifelong efforts of women and men who have achieved remarkable feats in a variety of fields.
Marguerite Hale is a respected businessperson who has generously given of her time and expertise to several organizations including the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Friends of the National Library, the University of Ottawa and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Former Senator, television journalist and McGill University professor, Laurent Lapierre is an authority on Canadian constitutional history. He is one of the country’s most valuable political commentators and respected champions of social justice. He has introduced the Canadian public to world leaders, philosophers and artists, as well as to some of the most important and sometimes controversial social and political issues.
Cynthia Baxter has been very active in the Community Foundation of Ottawa. She has helped promote cross-cultural exchanges across the country through the Forum for Young Canadians. Cynthia is the former vice-president of International Baccalaureate North America and was the founding president of the CODE Foundation.
David Smith is a successful restaurateur and caterer who has become a fixture at charitable fund-raising events in Ottawa. He has supported a host of organizations from the Heart Institute to the Union Mission to substance abuse treatment centers to a recreation center for Native youth in Davis Inlet. His dynamism and energy continue to vitalize all who meet him.
They have graciously taken time out of their busy schedule to join us here tonight and participate in the discussion.
I would also like to say a special thank you to the SAW Video Association, SAW Gallery, Blueprint for Life, House of Paint, the City of Ottawa, Commission jeunesse de Gatineau, and all others who helped to bring you out here tonight.
And most importantly, I want to hear what you have to say. So let’s start the discussion.
