Canada has been fundamentally shaped by cultural diversity. Despite our differences, people of all cultures are united by the idea that defines our nation: the will to be free. Black Canadians have had an inarguable role in defining our Canadian identity as, by fighting for a better life, they have made it clear that being Canadian is not linked to race. Rather, it is the will to overcome adversity that is truly Canadian, and it is this truth that shapes our history and heritage.

"I whose ancestors were slaves... know something about the price of freedom." So spoke Michaëlle Jean as she accepted her post as Governor General of Canada. A woman of incredible character, Jean embodies the traits we most admire in a leader: perseverance in the face of adversity, strength where weakness is expected, and an unconquerable desire to fight for others.

Born in Haiti, Michaëlle Jean's early life was shaped by political and social persecution. Under the dictatorship of François Duvalier, Jean's father was kidnapped and tortured, while the rest of her family was silenced. When her father was freed, "barely recognizable"¹ following his torture, Jean escaped with her family to the land she would learn to call home: Canada. Settling in Quebec, Jean faced abuse from her increasingly violent father at home, and racial judgement from those in her community. Jean's cultural identity was attacked, her heritage mocked, and her life filled with strife and hardship.

However, Michaëlle Jean chose not to blame her pain on the world around her. She chose not to be a victim. Instead, she decided to wear her heritage and culture proudly, not as a brand, but rather as a testimony to her past.

With this motivation, Jean began her work as an advocate for human rights and equality. While studying at the University of Montreal, Jean helped victims of domestic abuse and fought to make their voices heard. Following her graduation, Jean worked as a reporter for Radio-Canada, becoming the first person of Caribbean descent to work on a French-Canadian news program. Here, Jean addressed issues of cultural identity that had previously been ignored by the Canadian media. For instance, her film "Haiti In All Our Dreams," a picture documenting her own Haitian heritage, put forward the idea that immigrants should be proud of their past, and that Canada should not become a "cultural melting pot."

When Michaëlle Jean was appointed Governor General of Canada, becoming the first black woman to hold the post in Canadian history, the nation became enthralled by her story. Here was a woman of Caribbean descent who had come to Canada with nothing, and who now held one of the highest positions in the nation. Jean's story was not simply rags to riches; it was one of courage, strength, and beauty. It was this courage and strength that got her through the most difficult times, but it was the beauty of her soul that led her to forgive and forget. A person whose life was shaped by racism; her work now transcends racial lines. As she herself said during a Black History Month celebration, "...ours is a struggle not just of one race, but of all women and men who demand respect and dignity."²

I first heard Michaëlle Jean's story in elementary school when I chose her as the topic of my Black History Month presentation. What amazed me then was not how famous she was, nor how affluent, but that she had overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve her vision. As a child of parents who came to Canada with nothing, I have always known the incredible challenges faced by immigrants. However, Jean's story motivated me to open my eyes to the challenges of others, and today, I organize initiatives to help educate at-risk youth in Toronto's inner-city neighbourhoods. Her impact on me goes beyond words, and I am eternally thankful for her leadership.

I suppose this is the true value of Michaëlle Jean's story, and indeed that of every black Canadian. Their stories of hardship and perseverance have inspired not only young black Canadians, but youth of every colour. Their voices go beyond race; they are representative of the human spirit. They demonstrate the fact that in any story, there exists a choice: to give up, or to carry on. Our Canadian identity has been shaped by individuals who chose to carry on, who chose to fight for freedom, and this is their ultimate contribution to what it means to be Canadian.

¹ "Governor-general recalls family struggle, father's abuse." The Vancouver Sun, March 9, 2006, available at http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=d8755809-cf5c-499b-aa0b-bc79efa82bd3 (as of January 30, 2015).

² From her speech at a tribute to Marie-Josèphe Angélique in Montreal, Quebec, April 7, 2006.