鈥淐anada has embraced its Indigenous roots and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is truly multicultural and committed to reconciliation,鈥� said King Charles, while delivering the throne speech.
On May 27, the British monarch visited Canada for the first time as Sovereign, opening Parliament with a speech in Ottawa that left a positive impact of hope and encouragement for the S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw (Squamish Nation), of which there was a delegation of five in attendance.
Nation spokesperson, council member and attendee Sxw铆xwtn Wilson Williams explained the wave of reassurance felt by the delegation.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 expect what we heard,鈥� Williams said.
鈥淪o [it was] a pleasant surprise to hear the strong words coming from the King in regards to Canada itself, and how deeply connected he is to Canada.
鈥淵ou know, with a lot of the initiatives under [Prime Minister Mark] Carney ... also reassures Indigenous people.鈥�
The King had said that the Canadian Government will be a 鈥渞eliable partner鈥� to Indigenous Peoples, upholding the advancement of reconciliation as a 鈥渇undamental commitment.鈥�
An example of this 鈥渄eed鈥� in the throne speech delivered by the King was to double the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5 billion to $10 billion, thereby enabling more Indigenous communities to take charge of more nation-building projects.
鈥淓very room we鈥檙e in, we鈥檙e looked at as leaders to the country in regards to our land developments and our generational plan,鈥� Williams said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e one of the only nations to do it on our own. That鈥檚 us 鈥� knowing where our people are at.鈥�
Williams said the King seems to want to strengthen relations through reconciliation, economic independence and wealth.
Despite not having any personal exchanges, Williams said the delegation also felt reassured about the sincerity of the King鈥檚 personal affiliation with Canada.
They observed the King鈥檚 emotions first-hand the following day at the wreath laying at the National War Memorial at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
鈥淲e found a spot to see [the King] after he laid a wreath down. That鈥檚 what drove us to want to see him. We were totally empowered by what he said.
鈥淚 think his emotions [stood out]. You know, laying the wreath down and hearing the anthem. This is a big part that he holds to him,鈥� Williams said.
小蓝视频ion to Squamish Nation
鈥淵ou have welcomed my family and myself to your traditional lands with great warmth and hospitality, for which I am humbly grateful,鈥� the King said during his speech from the throne.
Williams noted Squamish Nation has built a relationship with the King鈥檚 son, Prince Harry, especially with the Invictus Games in February this year and he mused that the King could have been referencing that relationship, at least in part.
Williams also discussed the importance of Indigenous wisdom and its synchronization with the monarchy, as referred to by Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew during his exchange with the King after the speech from the throne.
Kinew spoke with the King about the Manitoba wildfires, and the King had noted the importance of leading with Indigenous wisdom.
鈥淲e know [what wisdom we can share] as Indigenous people, but we need people with an open heart and mind to be able to strategize at that high leadership level ... We鈥檝e got to keep building that relationship ... and turn the words into action,鈥� Williams said.
鈥淲e can do that by getting in rooms.鈥�
King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla, visited Canada from May 26 to 27.
~With files from Jennifer Thuncher
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Ina Pace is The 小蓝视频鈥檚 Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.