Miles Morrisseau
ICT
Just two days before his coronation as King of Great Britain, Charles III held a historic meeting at Buckingham Palace with the three leaders of Canada’s national Indigenous organizations.
The private meeting on May 4 – coordinated by Governor General Mary Simon, Inuk, who is the King’s representative in Canada – included Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed, all of whom also attended the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II.
“Today was a historic day for Indigenous peoples, for Canada, and for our relationship with the Crown,” Simon said in a statement.
“The King understands the importance of walking the path of reconciliation with Canada and Indigenous peoples. Discussions like these are vital. They will start slowly, and grow, forming the pillars of a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples that is based on respect and understanding.”
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The three Indigenous leaders were part of Canada’s 17-member delegation that also included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, as well as veterans, youth achievers and two astronauts, Jennifer Sydney-Gibbons and flag-bearer Jeremy Hansen, who will travel to the moon next year as part of the Artemis II mission.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy that is a member of the British Commonwealth, though support for the monarchy continues to fall in Canada, according to recent polls. Less than 11 percent of Canada is owned privately, with the rest of the land considered Crownland that is administered by either the provincial or federal governments.
Myeengun Henry, former chief of the Chippewas of the Thames and current Indigenous Knowledge Keeper at the University of Waterloo, told ICT he believes the new monarch can be a positive force.
“The new King has made attempts to understand the history and seems willing to look at a better future,” Henry said. “If he seriously looks at the treaties the monarchy signed with Indigenous people, then a pathway can be forged if all parties can have meaningful consultation.
“I feel this can happen, and with his influence, repudiation of some of the historical wrongs such as the doctrine of discovery, can be achieved,” Henry said. “I feel hope.”
A new era
The three national Indigenous leaders shared some of their conversation with King Charles III In a joint interview with CBC following the historic meeting.
“It’s been in the works for some time now working alongside Her Excellency and talking about how we work together as Indigenous peoples from Canada, to further the relationship with the King at this pivotal time when he is about to be going through his coronation,” Caron said.
“The audience this morning with His Majesty was very comfortable. It was very productive. We were given the space to talk individually about who we are, as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.”
Obed said he hopes it is the start of a new era between Indigenous people and the Crown.
“It’s the first time in history that a King or a Queen has sat down with representatives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis from Canada, and so this is a very significant day,” Obed said. “We hope that it leads to further formal work, but also a further positive relationship between the King and representatives of Indigenous peoples in Canada.”
Obed praised the governor general, who despite holding a symbolic title facilitated a historic moment.
“We were helped to this meeting by Her Excellency Mary Simon, the first Indigenous governor general in Canada,” Obed said. “And we still are, I think, coming to terms with the fact that this has never been done.”
Archibald used the opportunity to talk about the ancient relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers.
“One of the things I said to His Majesty is that when we think about our ancestors, First Nations people were welcoming. They were warm, they were generous, they were gracious. And that’s how this relationship started,” she said.
“We really have to come full circle with the Crown, to get back to that place of deep respect, and gratitude for what we have contributed not only to the formation of the country known as Canada, but our great contributions to the world in terms of the environment and our worldview,” Archibald said. “These things are now being picked up across the whole planet. And I think this is the beginning of that movement.”
Caron said that it is likely that some of the people they represent may not feel the meeting has value.
“Back home in Canada, there definitely always is a sense of frustration when things move slower than anticipated. However, as leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to keep those conversations going to keep progress moving,” Caron said.
“And with every significant global event that has taken place this year, we’ve had the opportunity to keep the conversation alive, about reconciliation, about the realities of our communities back home and the priorities of our nations moving forward,” Caron said.
Looking ahead
The three national Indigenous organizations have presented a united front on a number of international events, beginning with the meeting between Indigenous survivors of Indian Residential Schools and the Pope at the Vatican and later with the Pontiff’s visit to Indigenous communities in Canada.
Then came the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the visit by President Joe Biden to Canada in March when he met with the three Indigenous leaders, and now the historic meeting with King Charles III.
A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute on April 24 showed that barely 1 out 10 Canadians were looking forward to the coronation. And though the poll found that 54 percent considered the King unfavorable, his numbers are up from an April 2022 poll.
Simon pointed out King Charles III’s long support for youth and environmental causes in thanking him and the Indigenous leaders for the historic discussion.
“I have great hope for an improved Crown-Indigenous relationship in the coming years.” she said.
“His Majesty has great admiration and affection for Canada, having conducted a number of royal tours and visits many times over the years,” she said. “His meeting with national Indigenous leaders this week reinforces his interest in renewing the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples.”
More work is ahead, she said.
“I have often said that reconciliation is not one act, nor does it have an end date,” Simon said. “It is a process we build on, piece by piece. It is a path we must walk together, all of us — Indigenous, non-Indigenous, the Crown. And while we know words are important, it is through our actions that we can make the most difference. I will continue to encourage all Canadians, as well as the Crown, to take action on reconciliation.”
Correction: Myeengun Henry is the former chief of the Chippewas of the Thames and current Indigenous Knowledge Keeper at the University of Waterloo. His name was incorrect in an earlier version of the article.
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