Royals urged by First Nations to push governments for reconciliation
KELOWNA, B.C. — First Nations leaders have urged the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to encourage the British Columbia and federal governments to take their issues seriously, marking the second straight day of the royal tour that aboriginal leaders expressed frustration.
Chief John Kruger of the Penticton Indian Band spoke directly to Prince William and Kate during an event at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus on Tuesday, urging them to advocate for reconciliation for Aboriginal Peoples.
“True reconciliation involves the honour of the Crown, the federal government, provincial government and the indigenous people of this land.”
Kruger was standing in for Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, who has boycotted royal events. His members, which represents more than half of the 203 First Nations in the province, voted that he should not attend reconciliation events with the royals.