Governor General David Johnston says it鈥檚 鈥減erfectly understandable鈥� that indigenous protesters are raising concerns on Parliament Hill amid Canada Day preparations, and that Canada has always been a diverse, open nation willing to find common ground.

The Bawaating Water Protectors from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. arrived in Ottawa Wednesday and, after a brief showdown with police, erected a teepee on Parliament Hill.

The group calls their actions a 鈥渞eoccupation鈥� and has said they want to remind Canadians that indigenous people have faced systemic injustices, both in the past and present.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and later tweeted that the government is 鈥渄edicated to moving forward on reconciliation.鈥�

Speaking with CTV National News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme at Rideau Hall, Johnston said he hopes history is never far from the minds of Canadians.

鈥淚 think what hope all Canadians will be committed to is to learn from the past, both our triumphs and our tragedies,鈥� he said.

The group has said it plans to remain on Parliament Hill for the Canada 150 celebrations Saturday.

Asked whether the considered the protests a setback, Johnston said Canada is a 鈥渧ery open place鈥� and has 鈥渘ever been a country of extremes.鈥�

鈥淚t's perfectly understandable that people present their concerns in their own way,鈥� he said, adding that it鈥檚 important to come together and 鈥渇ind a way forward.鈥�

On a personal level, Johnston said he鈥檚 thrilled to be celebrating the sesquicentennial surrounded by loved ones, including his 14 grandchildren.

鈥淚鈥檝e often said in the last 40 years or so, all the important things in life I鈥檝e learned from my children. Now I鈥檓 relearning in yet a different way from my grandchildren,鈥� he said.

The Saturday celebrations will be about commemorating Canada鈥檚 past. But Johnston said it鈥檚 the nation鈥檚 future that makes him feel optimistic.

鈥淚 think my heart will be throbbing with the notion of hope that this is a good country, not perfect. And we are an experiment. But for every step backward we take two steps forward. And we will continue to do that in a very steadfast way.鈥�

With a report from CTV National News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme