Manitobans, Indigenous leaders watching closely as King Charles set to deliver throne speech
Leaders hope royal visit can be step forward in relations between Crown, Indigenous people
The head of the Assembly of First Nations says King Charles III's first visit to Canada as king can work as a step in improving the relationship between Indigenous people and The Crown.
"Colonialism has always infringed on First Peoples and I think we have to reset that relationship and find a new way and find a way to respect each other more," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who is from Pinaymootang First Nation in Manitoba's Interlake, prior to a meeting with the King in Ottawa on Monday evening.
"But also have those tough conversations about [things like] actual revenue sharing and finding a different path forward," she said.
King Charles III arrived in Ottawa on Monday afternoon, marking his first trip to Canada since his coronation. On Tuesday, he will read the throne speech to outline the Canadian government's priorities to kick off the legislative session.
Indigenous leaders from across Canada are gathering and meeting in Ottawa to coincide with the King's visit and the reading of the throne speech.
On Monday, the King and Queen met with the leaders of three national Indigenous organizations: Woodhouse Nepinak, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed and Métis National Council president Victoria Pruden.
"The message [Monday] was as the First Peoples of this land, we need to ensure that our treaties are honoured and respected," Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson told CBC News on Monday evening.
Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels echoed some of those thoughts during a news conference earlier Monday.
"All we are asking for is for justice, for fair treatment, for the integrity of our nations to continue forever," he said. "In that way we will prosper, and in that way we will sustain our relationship with the land and make sure that the land is healthy, just like we are.
"And so that's my message to [Prime Minister Mark] Carney, his cabinet, to the King, is that we are your allies," he said. "Treat us with respect, treat us the same way you would treat your family."
Wilson also said those leaders will be listening closely to Tuesday's throne speech to see how the federal government acknowledges and breaks down its plans to work with Indigenous people.
"My hope is that we can have a renewed relationship with the Crown," said Wilson.
"We do have a fairly new prime minister now and fairly new cabinet and I just want to see how we can come together and work together to ensure that our treaties are being honoured and respected," she said.
'A good time for us to reflect'
The King's visit to Canada also comes at a time when the country continues to deal with tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, along with his comments about wanting to make Canada the 51st state.
Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, said the King's address on Tuesday — which will mark the first time since 1977 that Canada's head of state has opened Parliament — is very symbolic.
"We keep on being poked on this by the president of the United States, but I think it's quite clear that we're a sovereign country and I think this just sort of adds a different element to it," said Adams.
Adams said some of the things he'll be looking for in the throne speech will include Canada's response to U.S. tariffs, what infrastructure measures may be promised, what the prime minister plans to do with threats of separatism in Canada, and what the country may do going forward in terms of military spending.
He also said a speech from the throne will be looked at closely by stakeholders in this country, including Indigenous Peoples.
"There will be people picking through that speech from the throne as to what is said about reconciliation, what is said about First Nations rights, what's said about treaty rights," Adams said.
Meanwhile, Callum Morrison, a member of the Monarchist League of Canada based in Altona, Man., said King Charles's visit to Canada has been a long time coming.
"I just think in a time like this where Canada is really trying to see what its place in the world is, particularly with changing alliances, stuff happening with the U.S., I just think it's a good time for us to reflect on what our shared traditions and values are."
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With files from The Canadian Press