Photo story: Indigenous leaders visit England

A delegation of indigenous leaders travelled to London, England, to mark the anniversary of an important document.

November 19, 2013 | Web First
Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semagani (left) stands with Ovide Mercredi, former grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations, outside Buckingham Palace. Mercredi explained: “The trip that we made here was to show Canadians that we still have this connection with Britain and that the treaties were made by our ancestors…” (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

To mark the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (Oct. 7), a delegation of indigenous leaders travelled to London, England, in October 2013. The group was organized by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and Steve Heinrichs, director, indigenous relations for Mennonite Church Canada, travelled with them. The group included Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and other indigenous leaders. They were there to remind the Crown of their nation-to nation relationship.

The Royal Proclamation is a document issued by King George III to claim British territory in North America. It includes the statement, “Lands which, not having been ceded to or purchased by us, are still reserved to the said Indians.”

“The Royal Proclamation of 1763 is our Magna Carta, in a way because it opened up all these countries for settlement, “said Chief Perry Bellegarde, from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. “This paved the way for the treaty-making process, and it recognized our sovereignty and nationhood.”

A video about the trip, “Nation to Nation: Honouring the Royal Proclamation of 1763” is available online at the Mennonite Church Canada Resource Centre.

See also the article, "Figuring out 'better ways of sharing'" in the Nov. 25, 2013 issue of Canadian Mennonite.

--Posted Nov. 19, 2013 

Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semagani (left) stands with Ovide Mercredi, former grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations, outside Buckingham Palace. Mercredi explained: “The trip that we made here was to show Canadians that we still have this connection with Britain and that the treaties were made by our ancestors…” (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

Drumming after the pipe ceremony in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

The delegation of Saskatchewan and Manitoba veterans, elders and chiefs assemble at the Guards Chapel, London, as part of their visit to celebrate the Royal Proclamation of 1763. (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

Gabrielle Hughes, from Mik'maq Nation, plays the drum in the Honour Song at the Canada High Commission. Hughes is the first Rhodes Scholar to come from the First Nations. (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (centre) examines the Royal Proclamation with other members of the delegation. (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

A copy of the 1763 Royal Proclamation, housed at the National Archives in London, England. (Photo by Brad Langendoen)

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