First Nation rebuffs Royal couple
Grand chief cites lack of progress on several issues
VICTORIA • A ceremony involving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meant to symbolize the reconciliation of British Columbia’s aboriginal peoples has been rebuffed by a First Nations group.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, leader of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said Monday he won’t be taking part or supporting the Black Rod Ceremony, due to be held Monday evening, involving Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Prince William is scheduled to add a final ring, symbolizing aboriginal reconciliation, to the Black Rod, a ceremonial staff used on formal occasions when the Queen or lieutenant-governor are present in the Legislative Assembly.
The current three rings on the staff represent the Crown, Canada and British Columbia, but the provincial government says there have been requests for a fourth ring to signify the link with indigenous peoples, since the staff was created in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
But Phillip said after an intense three-day debate at the group’s annual general meeting, the chiefs decided it would not be appropriate for him to participate in a reconciliation ceremony. The union represents more than half of the 203 First Nations in the province.
He said the federal government has made little progress improving the lives of First Nations, while the provincial government pushes ahead with projects opposed by aboriginal groups, such as liquefied natural gas developments and the Site C hydroelectric dam.
“I apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused with our decision. We do not mean any disrespect. It is a matter of principle,” Phillip said.
He added he cannot in good conscience attend when he remembers the deepening poverty in First Nation communities, the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and the continuing negligence of indigenous child welfare policies.
“Certainly our people on the ground that are in the midst of dealing with these tragedies on a daily basis will appreciate us standing up and acknowledging their plight and not blindly participating in yet another grandiose pomp and ceremony that would create the illusion that things in our communities are progressing forward,” he said in an interview Monday.
Stephen Point, the first indigenous lieutenant-governor in B.C., is expected to be at the ceremony.
Plans to show off some of British Columbia’s most beautiful areas to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were scuttled Monday by miserable weather.
The aerial tour of the Great Bear Rainforest and a boat tour of Bella Bella Harbour for the royal couple had to be cancelled.
Winds gusted, the water was choppy and it was pour- ing rain on B.C.’s central coast, an area well known for its wet weather.
William and Kate were greeted by a rousing cheer when they arrived at the Wawiskas Community Hall, where they met community members and about two dozen hereditary chiefs who were part of the official welcoming party.
“We have sat here patiently awaiting your arrival your Royal Highnesses,” Hereditary Chief Jim White said as he shook hands with the royal couple. “You have graced us with your presence.”
White said he was holding a traditional talking staff that dates backs to the time of Queen Victoria. It was one of four such staff ’s presented to the central coast aboriginals as a gift from the queen more than 100 years ago, he said.
Tuesday, the couple were due to visit Kelowna before leaving for the Yukon.
CERTAINLY OUR PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ... WILL APPRECIATE US STANDING UP AND ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR PLIGHT. — GRAND CHIEF STEWART PHILLIP