B.C. First Nations leaders call on King Charles for change as some caught 'between two worlds'
Indigenous leaders are calling on the newly-confirmed King of the Commonwealth and Canada to renounce a controversial colonial policy as British Columbians of mixed heritage face conflicting emotions about the Queen’s death.
The First Nations Leadership Council issued a statement offering the Royal Family condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but also called on King Charles III to renounce the “doctrine of discovery,” which justified the colonial acquisition of land and is now widely denounced.
“As the reigning monarch now, King Charles is in the position to correct these historic wrongs immediately,” said Kukpi7 Judy Wilson in an interview with CTV News. “He could do whatever he needs to do to revoke it…to have a full relationship with Indigenous people as proper title-holders of this land.”
While Canada officially rejected the doctrine last year as "racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust," but many Indigenous leaders want to see that acknowledgment from the Royal Family, which benefited from the exploitation of colonies around the world.
CONFLICTING TIME FOR THOSE WITH DUAL HERITAGE
While many have been voicing their sadness at the passing of the long-reigning Queen, Indigenous activists across Canada and the world have been quick to point to the cruel history of the British Empire. and the injustices of Canada’s residential schools and land seizures as reasons not to mourn her passing.
Increasingly, people like Candace Crockford are speaking up about being stuck “between two worlds” as they watch the discussion unfold: born and raised on the Katzie reserve in the Fraser Valley and educating children as a cultural facilitator, she also has deep compassion for the Queen’s family.
“An elder passed away and she deserves that time and honour and respect,” she said, explaining her mother is Indigenous and her father moved to Canada from Britain when he was 12.
Crockford, who was named Caxcexem in a traditional ceremony upon graduating high school, describes a whipsaw of emotions as she sees social media discussions about the dark side of colonialism and the affection for Queen Elizabeth II.
“It's hard to really balance and merge those two feelings,” she said. “There's no real middle ground - you'll feel one way on second and then flip to another.”
AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT BUT NOT AN APOLOGY
On his last visit to Canada in May, then-Prince Charles stopped short of the apology many had been hoping for, though he did address the horrors residential school survivors faced.
“I want to acknowledge their suffering and to say how much our hearts go out to them and their families,” he told a crowd in Yellowknife.
In a country increasingly confronting the ugly realities of our colonial past, some will be feeling conflicting emotions and allegiances as all eyes are on Charles to see what further steps he may take as he assumes the crown in the wake of his mother’s death.
“I completely understand why Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island have this feeling of anger and angst about her being celebrated,” said Crockford. “But at the same time, I wish I could sit with my dad and have a cup of tea and watch this story play out.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.