Canadian ceremony commemorating King Charles III's coronation focused on hope for the future
CTV
As the Commonwealth celebrates the history-making coronation of King Charles III, Canada marked the occasion with a ceremony that had a concerted focus on hope for the future, centred around key shared priorities of the Crown and Canada: the environment, service to others, and Indigenous reconciliation.
As the Commonwealth celebrates the history-making coronation of King Charles III, Canada marked the occasion with a ceremony that had a concerted focus on hope for the future, centred around key shared priorities of the Crown and Canada: the environment, service to others, and Indigenous reconciliation.
While not a national holiday in Canada, as the ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey winded down, commemoration events in the nation's capital got underway, with an hour-long celebration in that included a series of musical and artistic performances as well as special unveilings.
Beginning at 10 a.m. EDT at the Sir John A. Macdonald building on Wellington St. in Ottawa, the event began with powerful remarks from Albert Dumont, Ottawa's poet laureate and an Algonquin spiritual advisor, who also took part in the Canadian commemoration to Queen Elizabeth II eight months ago.
In his remarks, Dumont spoke directly about the impact of the Crown on Indigenous people, while voicing some hope for the future.
"From the eastern sky, a new dawn enters Indigenous sacred land. The memories of the oldest pines rise to greet its shimmering light. The trees sway joyfully in remembrance of a happy time long ago, before the power of the British sword destroyed the tranquility of gentle Turtle Island," he said. "A new day, showing itself on the horizon, bringing forth the heart of an honorable human being, who steps forward."
As he concluded, a drum beat swelled as Algonquin group Eagle River Singers performed an honour song.
Although King Charles acceded to the throne upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022, the post-U.K. proceedings are a chance for Canadians to mark the occasion.
