Artcirq performs at Queen's Jubilee

Inuit Artcirq Performs at Diamond Jubilee Pageant Before Queen Elizabeth IIAboriginals are among those feting Queen Elizabeth II this weekend for her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th year of her reign.

The group Artcirq had a first-hand role in the celebrations with a performance before the Queen herself in mid-May at Windsor Castle. Artcirq, based in Igloolik, performed at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) act Musical Ride, reported the Nunatsiaq News.

This weekend marks the official bank holiday in the UK, with celebrations happening from June 2 through 5. On June 2, 1,000 barges will float down the Thames River, the lead one carrying the Queen and the Royal Family. The Queen acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI. Her coronation took place the following year, on June 2, 1953. The only other monarch in British history to celebrate this Jubilee milestone was Queen Victoria, who did so in 1897.

The show, officially titled Around the World in 60 Years and 90 Minutes, featured acts from places the Queen has visited during her decades-long reign. More than 550 horses and 1,000 performers participated in the seven-act show. Artcirq and the RCMP were part of the “Americas” section of the show in all four performances on May 10, 11 and 13, the Inuit advocacy group Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) said in a statement.Comment:  For more on British royalty, see Natives Perform at Queen's Jubilee and Prince Charles Meets Canadian Natives.

Below:  "Artcirq performed in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant celebrating the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who attended one of the four performances at Windsor Castle." (Peter Nixon/DJP)

Natives perform at Queen's Jubilee

NMSU professor shows off Native horsemanship to the Queen

By Andi MurphyAn associate professor from New Mexico State University had the moment of a lifetime several weeks ago in England.

"I went to the Windsor Castle with those of us from the pageant to meet the queen," said Donald Pepion, 67, an anthropology professor, via email. "We had tea and crumpets."

Pepion, a Blackfeet Native American originally from Montana, was with 10 other Native Americans from different Plains tribes selected to participate in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant, May 10 -13, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

It was his first trip to England.

"Although I had many questions about the Native Americans' participation in the Queen of England's Diamond Jubilee Pageant, I was willing take advantage of an opportunity to share Native American culture," Pepion said. "Of course, my underlying passion as a horseman from a Montana ranch background lures me when I am invited to wear my traditional Blackfeet Indian regalia and ride a horse."

Pepion's Blackfeet, or "Pikuini," name is "Iits-sim-mah-kii" or Stabs Down. He wore a traditional white, tanned buckskin suit with hand-beaded trimming and a headdress he earned in 1984 in honor of his leadership role in his tribe. He rode a spotted black, white and gray appaloosa stallion from Wales, while a few other Natives danced on a central stage.Blackfeet Professor and Ten Other Natives Participate in Queen of England’s Diamond Jubilee PageantThe Diamond Jubilee focuses on seven major global regions, showcasing the culture from Great Britain (obviously), the Americas, ‘Australasia,’ Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The Americas portion included the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Inuits who performed a demonstration of throat singing, drum dancing, and “the recreation of a polar bear hunt,” according to the language on the Jubilee’s site. And finally, they hosted “Native Americans, Cowboys and the Macfarlane Stagecoach, a representation of the American West of the mid 1800s including an authentic American stagecoach.”Comment:  I'm glad they said Pepion earned his headdress. Otherwise I'd be wondering why a professor was wearing one.

I hope the Indians weren't chasing the stagecoach on horseback. That would be stereotypical.

For more on British royalty, see Prince Charles Meets Canadian Natives and Royals Meet Aboriginals.

Prince Charles meets Canadian Natives

First Nations Meet With Prince Charles, Ask to See Queen Elizabeth IITired of waiting for Canada’s government to make good on centuries-old treaties, First Nations are going straight to the source. They are requesting a meeting directly with Queen Elizabeth II, whose government struck the original agreements with the indigenous of northern Turtle Island back during colonial times.

The request came at a meeting with Prince Charles, who along with Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall is on an official tour marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The heir to the throne and his wife visited various cities from May 21–23, including a stop at First Nations University of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan, before meeting with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and other First Nations leaders in Toronto. Prince Charles agreed to pass on the request Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

“I would like to thank the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for spending time with First Nations leaders today as we have an historical relationship with the Imperial Crown pre-dating the existence of Canada,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo in a statement. “The meeting focused on the enduring relationship between First Nations and the Crown based on Treaties and noting the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 in October 2013, and how renewing the relationship must be the basis of our work today to achieve fundamental change for First Nations in Canada.”

The royal proclamation outlined indigenous rights to occupy the land they lived on and spelled out the relationship between the British throne and the indigenous of what would become Canada.First Nations youth talk about entrepreneurship with royals

Royal couple visited FNUC

By Courtney MintenkoA sit down talk with royalty is not an honour bestowed on everyone, but a group of youth at the First Nations University did have that chance.

First they watched a traditional drum and dance ceremony.

Prince Charles and Camilla were also given a tour of the building by Cadmus Delorme.

He says the royals were very down to earth and the prince seemed to listen carefully and respond to youth.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Royals Meet Aboriginals.

Below:  "Grand Chief David Harper of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak presents Prince Charles with an eagle feather during his tour with wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, commemorating Queen Elizabeths Diamond Jubilee." (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Royals meet Aboriginals

Kate and William meet Canada's Aboriginals

By Roshina JowaheerThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continue their nine-day tour of Canada arriving in the Northwest Territories on their sixth day and meeting Aboriginals in Yellowknife.

They were greeted by a group of Dettah Drummers and dancers dressed in traditional native clothing at the Somba K'e Civic Plaza and they stopped to chat to the Aboriginal people and Yellowknife locals.

Prince William thanked the Northwest Territories Aboriginals in their local Dene dialect and the couple received a warm welcome from the crowds.

The couple took part in traditional games, which are also used for everyday survival skills for the harsh northern environment that sees 10 months of winter per year.

Kate and William didn't leave empty handed as the Aboriginals presented them with a gift to show their 'mutual respect and affection'--a pair of platinum and diamond pave cufflinks and a brooch with a polar bear design.Kate Middleton and Prince William given warm welcome by Aboriginal peoplesWilliam gave a short speech to the gathered crowds and to cheers from the spectators highlighted how the royal couple were now above 60 degrees latitude so the sun will not set during their stay.

The royal said: "It's great to be north of 60 degrees.

"This place is what Canada is all about; vast, open beauty, tough, resilient friendly peoples--true nature, true humanity.

"Thanks to all of you who have travelled such great distances to join us today, Catherine and I are deeply honoured.

"We have been here just 12 hours but we have already sensed the extraordinary potential of this region.

"That irrepressible spirit of adventure that marks out the peoples of the Territories and defines this land. We are so excited to be here."

To cheers he ended by speaking a few words of the local language "Mahsi Cho"--thank you very much.Royals, Alberta tribes have long history

Visits honour sanctity of treaties

By Kelly CrydermanLike many of the events Prince Charles attended 34 years ago, the one at Blackfoot Crossing marked what is a special relationship between the monarchy and First Nations--one that will be part of the mix as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travel to Alberta today.

"We tend to sort of think of (royal visits) as just pomp and fluff and ceremony," said Sarah Carter, a University of Alberta historian who has studied the relationship between treaty Indians, royals and viceroys.

"But they have a lot more meaning and deeper meaning--especially to First Nations' people--because of the sanctity of these treaty agreements."Will tries his hand at ball hockey during stop in NWTOne of the lighter moments was William trying his hand at street hockey, taking a few shots at a goalie in his definitely-not-hockey suit. Before he took began, he asked the 20-year-old goaltender: "Let this go in."

Not as confident with a stick as he is with a chopper, the prince went 0 for 3 against Calvin Lomen. Lomen wasn't trying to be treasonous. William just kept shooting right at him. First, a hard wrist shot to the glove, the second to the stick.

On his last shot, the Prince, feeling a little cocky, said "top left corner."

He then did a little fake out deke, and ... missed the net completely.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Royal Couple to Visit Native Center.