Treaties with the Crown are the foundation of Canada’s sovereignty – The Globe and Mail

May 26, 2025

Perry Bellegarde is a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations and a citizen of the Little Black Bear First Nation on Treaty Four territory.

On May 27, King Charles III – the King of Canada – will deliver the Speech from the Throne, opening the new session of Canada’s Parliament. The King’s presence in this constitutional role may surprise some Canadians, but for many First Nations across these lands, it reaffirms something we have always known: the Crown is not merely symbolic. It is central to the Treaty relationship that founded Canada.

I am a citizen of Treaty Four and a member of Little Black Bear First Nation. As former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, I have stood alongside Elders and Knowledge Keepers at powwows, feasts, and honourings across Treaty territories. Often, visitors raise their eyebrows to see the Union Jack carried in during the Grand Entry, or they are surprised to hear our Flag Song, which honours Queen Victoria and our sacred relationship with the Crown.

Read More: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-treaties-with-the-crown-are-the-foundation-of-canadas-sovereignty/