The Crown in British Columbia

The Queen's newest vice-regal was sworn in as the 28th Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia yesterday amidst pomp and controversy. The Hon. Steven Point impressed me not for becoming the first aboriginal Canadian to be appointed to that position, but because of his decision to wear the traditional Windsor uniform (approved by George III) at the installation ceremony. His recent predecessors made some show at 'modernizing' their appearance, and indeed for a time it looked as though the ostrich-feathered and oak leaf embroidered attire was going to disappear altogether. We can take this as proof that all trends are reversible.

No, the controversy are these large murals in the lower rotunda of the B.C. legislature buildings, which were deliberately covered for the swearing-in ceremony to appease the sensitivity of those present. The Ceremony of the Covered Murals.

They were painted in 1932 to represent B.C.'s early colonial past and apparently depict some of the province's indigenous in a less than dignified manner. The 1997 Speech from the Throne promised to have them removed to a different location.

For years, First Nations leaders have expressed serious concern about the way Aboriginal people are portrayed in these murals – in passive, stereotypical and demeaning roles.

In 2001, an independent five-person advisory panel unanimously recommended the murals be removed and relocated.

In the spirit of the New Relationship commitment to reconciliation, B.C. has committed to working with the First Nations Leadership Council and the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations to develop a process for removal and replacement of the murals.

Queen Victoria towers over her namesake capital city in front of B.C.'s Parliament.

The flag of B.C. reflecting its proud affinity for the Crown and all things British.

Rising regally on the banks of Victoria's Inner Harbour, the Empress Hotel. The Empress is well-renowned for its tradition of serving afternoon tea in the classic, Edwardian tradition.

The Arms of Her Majesty in Right of British Columbia with motto, Splendor Sine Ocassu: Splendour Without Diminishment.

Through the beauty of heraldry, important elements in the character of B.C. are revealed: its heritage as a constitutional monarchy; its historic position in the Empire and Commonwealth; and the riches of its natural environment. The evolution of the Coat of Arms took over a century: When British Columbia joined Canada in 1871 it had no official heraldry although in the colonial period the Royal Arms, including the Royal Crest of the crowned lion standing on the imperial crown, was widely used on official documents. This was general practice throughout the Empire, although in B.C.'s case, the Royal Crest flanked by the initials "B.C." was used as a type of provincial insignia. Interestingly, this use of the Royal Crest, meant to express the strong tie British Columbians felt to Britain and Queen Victoria, who had taken a special interest in the creation of the colony, was undertaken without any authorization by the Sovereign.

For The Monarchist, this is home sweet home.

Update: Andrew Cusack out does me