The perennial debate on abolishing the monarchy, this time triggered by the Sussexes transplanting themselves to Vancouver Island, has appeared once again.

As I read through the various commentaries being offered, I feel there are teachings that have been gifted to me by Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers that should to be shared: Abolishing the Crown in Canada will not draw a line under colonialism. If anything, it will be yet another step toward completing its mission.

When Indigenous Nations first encountered Europeans on Turtle Island (North America) they began incorporating them into their own long-established protocols of treaty-making. Treaties created the necessary diplomatic space in which very different societies could communicate and negotiate complex relationships despite radically different world-views. The Crown was a natural vehicle for settlers to enter long-term relationships with their Indigenous partners.

Treaty, like the institution of the monarchy, is an organic creation that evolves — or devolves — depending on those who are engaged with it. They are meant to be the best reflections of their constituents. They also require personal relationships to be effective.

Confederation disrupted these relationships, eclipsing (without the consent of Indigenous Peoples) treaties and placing them under the control of the federal government. Canada Day is often celebrated as the beginning of the country’s journey toward full independence. However, paralleling this journey has been the dismantling of treaties and assimilation of Indigenous peoples into the settler society.

Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and must take advice from the Canadian prime minister (itself a colonial office). The Prime Minister’s Office is now the gatekeeper of the ancient Treaty relationships of this land, restricting both the access of Indigenous Peoples to the Queen (previous to Confederation such meetings happened regularly) as well as controlling when members of the Senior Royal Family can visit.

Still, the Queen and her representatives remain the “keepers of protocols” for non-Indigenous Canada — at the apex of our national and provincial ceremonies — and are rediscovering their roles as natural conduits into our treaty relationships.

The Crown’s powerful and apolitical ability to convene gatherings of people across society highlights an enduring aspect of the treaty relationship. The power to convene is enhanced further when it is coupled with the traditional rights of the Queen and her representatives in our democracy: to consult, encourage, and warn the government.

Last summer, a meeting was hosted by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, at Toronto’s Massy College. The “Council at the Chapel Royal” saw all of Canada’s viceregal representatives and territorial commissioners gathered around a Sacred Fire lit by the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Following protocols that evoked ancient relationships predating Confederation, the Queen’s representatives heard an address by Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. During this historic address, Bellegarde enlightened the governor general, lieutenant governor and territorial commissioners saying: “Properly understood, the treaty relationship is not founded in rights denial or a colonial mentality but, rather, in the equality and sovereignty of peoples and our agreement to share the land without dominating one another.”

He went on to say:

“Each of you must be aware of this history and the significance of treaty as part of your high office. While the government of the day has a role to operationalize the treaty obligations held by the Crown, the Queen’s representatives are the caretakers and witnesses to this immutable relationship.”

Canada is a colonial state and for over two centuries the Crown was co-opted into the drive to forcibly settle this continent — its offices and symbols were employed in this effort to great effect.

However, that was not the original vision for this land. Thanks to Indigenous and viceregal leaders, the true role of the Crown in this land is being rediscovered and relationships rekindled.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

As the Duke of Cambridge, the future king, told the elders of Haida Gwaii during his visit in 2016, “The historic link between the Crown and the First Nations people is strong, and one that I hold dear to my heart.”

Ironically, abolishing the Crown in this land, or diluting it to the point of being a meaningless symbol, without the consent of its treaty partners runs the risk of fully realizing the goal of colonization: complete control over the land’s foundational relationships by the settlers.