The Grand Chief of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Stewart Phillip, won't be in Victoria on Monday as Prince William takes part in the Black Rod Ceremony to add a ring of reconciliation to a ceremonial staff.
The Black Rod is used in the legislature when the Queen or Lieutenant Governor is present, and the province says several First Nations have requested the symbol of reconciliation be added to the staff.
But chiefs attending the recent annual general assembly of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs voted not to take part in the ceremony as a protest of provincial and federal government inaction on key First Nations concerns.
UBCIC Secretary Treasurer Judy Wilson says there is no true recognition of Indigenous title and rights when it comes to Site C, Enbridge, Kinder Morgan or Lelu Island.
