Onion Lake Cree Nation Coun. Ivan Harper, Chief Henry Lewis and Coun. Timothy Chief stand outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (submitted/ Janice Makokis)

By Kenneth Cheung

2025 ROYAL VISIT

Throne speech ‘didn’t go far enough’ on Treaty rights, says Onion Lake chief

May 27, 2025 | 5:40 PM

Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Henry Lewis is grateful to have witnessed King Charles III deliver Canada’s Throne Speech in person — but he is disappointed the address failed to mention Treaty rights.

“There’s no mention of any Treaty right…no mention whatsoever,” Lewis told meadowlakeNOW.

“Just talked a little bit about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples…it didn’t go far enough.”

The King became the first reigning monarch in nearly half a century to read the speech from the throne in Canada, opening a new session of Parliament on Tuesday morning.

Lewis travelled to Ottawa to represent his Nation and reaffirm the relationship between Treaty Peoples and the Crown. Onion Lake, which straddles the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, is a signatory to Treaty No. 6, signed at Fort Pitt in 1876.

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“It is very important that the leaderships are there,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to be able to make it in there… to show that we are still allied with the Crown, the King. We still have old allegiance to the King.”

But while he welcomed the symbolic presence, Lewis said it was discouraging to be denied even a handshake or moment of personal recognition.

“We needed that direct audience with the King himself,” he said. “Even going in there… it was pretty hard even to shake his hand and say ‘Hi’ and introduce myself and my nation… I didn’t have that opportunity.”

With the 150th anniversary of Treaty No. 6 approaching in 2026, Lewis said the moment called for more than ceremony. He urged the federal government to commit to meaningful participation and funding for Treaty gatherings at Fort Pitt.

“Providing funding for the activities is very important to heritage in Canada,” he said. “Providing funding so that we can maybe put up buildings, permanent fixtures — which that site doesn’t have any permanent fixtures now.”

He also called for the Governor General to attend Treaty-related events, saying visibility from the Crown’s representatives carries important symbolic and legal weight.

“Visibility in attendance to these functions or activities is very critical….crucial to us,” he said. “That means that allegiance is still in place through the Governor General, through the King.”

Lewis said his Nation is already asserting Treaty rights in practice, including through negotiations with Ottawa for a Treaty-based health agreement. But he said efforts to involve the Governor General were rejected.

“We wanted the Governor General involved in the process and when it came to handling the funding part, they said no,” he said.

Beyond federal officials, Lewis said his message is also meant for the Canadian public. He wants all citizens to understand that Treaties are not historical artifacts — they are binding commitments that remain central to Canada’s foundation.

“The King needs to tell the federal bureaucracy, especially the prime minister, that the Treaty rights are still intact. And the federal government should honour them.”

AFN response

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak made the following statement in response to the Speech from the Throne:

“The Speech from the Throne expressed commitments to continue the work of reconciliation and mentioned the importance of protecting Indigenous peoples’ languages. The Speech from the Throne expressed the government’s commitment to respect free, prior and informed consent, a critical legal standard respecting project developments. This is an unprecedented mention in a Speech from the Throne and we look forward to seeing this implemented by Canada in decision-making, especially one delivered by King Charles III. We have a lot of work to do with this government.”

Nepinak added, “Yesterday, I delivered a message that as King of Canada, His Majesty carries a responsibility to uphold the Treaties that protect our rights. We spoke about the importance of honouring commitments that have stood for generations. Progress by Canada is long overdue, including on housing, healthcare, clean water, education, policing, infrastructure, and full recognition of our rights.”

The AFN national Chief extended an invitation to Their Majesties to visit First Nations in the year ahead.

Nepinak plans to host a news conference on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning to release a new report from the Conference Board of Canada and the AFN regarding Closing the First Nations Infrastructure Gap.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com