Storyteller in Chief visits Sault Ste. Marie

Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario's lieutenant governor, topped a list of speakers in attendance at Wednesday's official signing of the Unity Pact, held at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site.

The pact, signed by area First Nations leaders and Port of Algoma management, recognizes the need for all parties to work toward shared economic success and maintain a safe environment while the port is developed.

The ceremony took place at the same spot where the Robinson-Huron Treaty was signed in 1850.

After the ceremony, Dowdeswell, on her first official visit to Sault Ste. Marie as lieutenant governor, toured The Machine Shop before a private lunch and economic roundtable with Mayor Christian Provenzano and city staff at Civic Centre.

Following the roundtable and a meeting with Metis youth, Dowdeswell told SooToday "I'm not a policy maker in any way but what I am able to do is to share stories."

Dowdeswell has described herself as Ontario's "Storyteller-in-Chief."

"I have an ability to actually convene people to have a genuine dialogue about issues that are not political in nature, that transcend politics and transcend time."  

"That really allows people the opportunity to learn from each other and think about how we're going to create sustainable communities for the long term."

"Rather than me saying 'here's what I think we should be working on,' it's really trying to listen to people, to hear what they're proud of in their communities, what do they value and what are they challenged by, and one of my jobs is to actually tell some of those stories."

As Ontario's lieutenant governor, Dowdeswell serves as the Queen's representative in Ontario, responsible for a combination of governmental and ceremonial duties.

Dowdeswell was appointed to the post in 2014 by Governor General David Johnston on the advice of then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Dowdeswell praised the Sault and area for its "spectacular natural environment," while calling The Machine Shop (part of the former St. Marys Paper mill) "an amazing piece of architecture."

After her departure from Civic Centre, Dowdeswell toured the Art Gallery of Algoma and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre before a dinner with city council, members of parliament and First Nations leaders at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.

Her tour of Northern Ontario communities continues with visits to Elliot Lake, Manitoulin Island and the Northern Bruce Peninsula.