How Charles and Camilla will face a colonial past during their St. John's visit

Prince Charles and Camilla will be in St. John's for only a few hours on Tuesday, but their short stay — the first leg of a three-day Canadian tour — will include a moment that is part of a broader theme for their visit. 

During their stop in St. John's on Tuesday, Prince Charles and Camilla will visit Government House and walk in what officials say will be "solemn" reflection and prayer at the Heart Garden, a tribute to Indigenous children who died at residential schools.

They will listen to a prayer in Inuktitut, and take in Mi'kmaw music, watch performers put on a show of song and story, and visit with Indigenous guests and dignitaries, all in what's been described as a "spirit of reconciliation."

The event is part of the tour's emphasis on mending relationships with Indigenous people, which not only marks an acknowledgement of the Crown's wrongdoings but also raises questions of the responsibility that modern-day royals bear in colonialism.

Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, has billed the royal visit as a chance to "showcase the evolution of our country, our diverse and inclusive society, as well as the resilience of Indigenous communities."

For the event at the Heart Garden, a quiet corner on the grounds of the lieutenant-governor's official residence near downtown St. John's, invitations were sent to representatives of five different Indigenous groups in Newfoundland and Labrador.

At least one prominent leader, however, is not attending.

Johannes Lampe, president of Nunatsiavut, the government that represents Inuit in northern Labrador, told CBC News he was happy to be invited but is busy that day. Nunatsiavut has a swearing-in ceremony for its newly elected representatives on Tuesday, and his responsibilities, he said, lie with his people.

Another leader is hoping the royal visit will bring a focus to Indigenous issues.

Todd Russell, president of the NunatuKavut community council, which represents people who claim Inuit ancestry in southern Labrador, said such a visit does hold meaning and can signify a sea change in the way Indigenous voices are included and heard.

Russell stopped short, however, of calling the couple's Canadian tour solely one of reconciliation.

"We would certainly feel that this is done with a certain amount of integrity, that it is not a checkmark, [that] we must include the Indigenous peoples. I think it's deeper than that," Russell said.

"Yet I believe we should acknowledge it for what it is. It is a visit from the royals. It is an occasion where our relationship can be emphasized. But I wouldn't want to go too far to say that the royal visit is really about reconciliation itself, that this was a major feature of why the visit is happening."

Russell sees the visit as an opportunity to showcase the culture of his people and raise up the work that is being done on reconciliation.