Muted interest in coronation suggests relationship is already reset
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon hoped meeting between King Charles, Indigenous leaders would redefine how to work toward reconciliation
Prince Charles, whose coronation as King of Canada took place on Saturday, speaks to a crowd in Iqaluit in 2017. (File photo by Steve Ducharme)
While Indigenous leaders talked to King Charles III about their relationship with the Crown ahead of Saturday’s coronation, enthusiasm about the new monarch has been muted in the North.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon — the first Indigenous person to serve as the King’s representative in Canada — organized a meeting Thursday for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed, Assembly of First Nations national Chief RoseAnne Archibald and Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron to meet the King in London.
Simon wanted Charles’ coronation to be an opportunity to reset the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples because it’s a key part of reconciliation.
But few Inuit leaders showed any interest in talking this week about Simon’s idea.
That lack of interest, along with an apathy about the coronation, might speak volumes about the kind of relationship Inuit want.
The relationship worked miserably for Indigenous Peoples for decades. And it might have already reset itself after Queen Elizabeth died last September.
Nunatsiaq News tried to ask Inuit leaders what they thought of Simon’s idea.
Only one replied — Nunavut MP Lori Idlout, who offered a two-sentence written statement agreeing the coronation “is an opportunity to reset the relationship.”
The monarchy should respect Indigenous People’s self-determination and inherent rights and the relationship must guide the federal government’s work on reconciliation, Idlout wrote.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami issued a joint statement along with the AFN and Métis council, following Thursday’s meeting.
It included pleasantries about welcoming the new King to their homelands at the earliest opportunity.
ITK’s portion offered bromides about the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee and an interest in talking about bringing back Inuit cultural items from British museums.
Leading up to the coronation, Obed was not available to talk to Nunatsiaq News about meeting the King or what a renewed relationship should look like.
Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who spent the week chumming around Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also did not respond to questions about the relationship with the Crown.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Makivvik Corp. also didn’t respond to requests to react to Simon’s idea.
Across Nunavut, there wasn’t much official recognition of the coronation at all. A federal government website described national events taking place in Ottawa, adding that territorial commissioners and provincial lieutenant governors might invite Canadians to take part in events in their communities.
But there was no sign Commissioner Eva Aariak had rolled out the red carpet to Nunavummiut to any coronation weekend celebrations.
The muted response to the coronation is unfortunate because Simon is right. Now is the ideal time to redefine what Indigenous Peoples want in their relationship with the Crown.
King Charles embodies the power of Canada as a nation. The coronation marks the starting point of a new reign, an opportunity to do things differently.
The reluctance to even talk about it is a missed opportunity for the kind of Crown-Indigenous relationship that will emerge during the reign of Charles III.
Muted interest in the coronation is a national phenomenon. Granted, for indigenous people’s reasons for that might be different, I’d still bet there are similarities. I wonder, has there ever been enthusiasm among indigenous peoples for the Monarchy?
Corey, I can’t believe you, or any serious thinking person today would indulge in the Monarchist fantasy that says “King Charles embodies the power of Canada as a nation.”
Really?
I know you don’t like to sully yourself by engaging with the plebes and mid-wits in the comments section, but please, don a pseudonym and explain that?
Why do you do this, Corey? Is this your idea of being clever? Divert that energy into your editorials, they could use a little more elbow grease.
“King Charles embodies the power of Canada as a nation”. My Goodness, I haven’t read such a ridiculous statement in a long, long time!! Canada’s greatness and power was built through the ingenuity and hard work of its citizens, and its elected leaders both past and present. King Charles ( also referred to sometimes as Camillas feminine product) has had nothing to do with it.
I think the Editor really needs to think about this more!!
I tried to address this too, but it appears our editor is quite concerned that those words might go public! ?
What a shame it is on you. You can always bark back boss, it might even be fun.
Muted interest in the coronation is a national phenomenon. Granted, for indigenous people’s reasons for that might be different, I’d still bet there are similarities. I wonder, has there ever been enthusiasm among indigenous peoples for the Monarchy?
Corey, I can’t believe you, or any serious thinking person today would indulge in the Monarchist fantasy that says “King Charles embodies the power of Canada as a nation.”
Really?
‘Muted interest in Nunatsiaq Editorials: Clearly a sign paper is thriving”
The Great Reset is the new thing, the king has spoken, if you have missed it then a search will give a general idea of what is planned on relationships between us and them.
Silence speaks volumes. They ain’t muted because they are not jumping at your questions what they see their relationship going with the King.
The ball is in the Kings court, once the King speaks our leaders will speak. Our indigenous leaders are waiting out of respect and want to see where the King plans on going before saying anything. Corey Larocque you are an idiot and bigot for writing this muted story.
Maybe the Crown does not want a relationship with indigenous peoples.
If our indigenous leaders spoke first it would be like putting the cart before the horse.