New York - One of Canada's most prominent aboriginal chiefs declined an invitation to an event on Monday in Victoria where he was slated to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as part of a reconciliation ceremony.
"Reconciliation has to be more than empty symbolic gestures," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, explaining his move as a decision made out of principle, not a lack of respect.
"With the deepening poverty of our communities, remembering the missing and murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the ongoing negligence of Indigenous Child Welfare policies across this country, in good conscience, I cannot participate in the Black Rod Ceremony," he said in a statement.
The Black Rod is a ceremonial staff used on formal occasions when the Queen or her representatives are present in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
It is is adorned with three rings, representing the British crown, Canada and British Columbia. Prince William was set to add a fourth ring during Monday's ceremony which symbolises Canada's so-called First Nations, the aboriginal peoples.
Grand Chief Phillip was invited to actively participate in the Black Rod Ceremony by handing the Ring of Reconciliation to Prince William, and then inviting him to affix it on to the Black Rod.
According to the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail, Phillip's union represents more than half of the 203 First Nations in British Columbia.
William and Kate began their week-long tour of Canada on Saturday and have visited a number of social institutions under the guidance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
dpa