Some indigenous leaders embraced the opportunity to criticize their federal and provincial governments in front of the duke and duchess. But there’s a long tradition of aboriginal people appealing directly to the Royal Family, experts say. The primary relationship of indigenous people has always been with the Crown of England, as opposed to elected governments, he said. “That relationship has continued in that many First Nations communities have seen the royal court, the Royal Family, as the place to go to petition for recognition of rights,” he said. “They’ll remember William and Catherine going up to Bella Bella, a place that would have otherwise not made anybody’s radar on the world stage.

Source: National Post October 02, 2016 14:03 UTC