N.W.T. government co-hosts 'diamond experience' for Belgian king and queen

The government of the Northwest Territories partnered with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in co-hosting a 30-minute "diamond experience" for Belgium's king and queenTuesday.

The diamond expo, primarily sponsoredby the Antwerp World Diamond Centre,was an invitation-only event at Ottawa's Canadian Museum of Nature from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.

The goal was to promote and profile the Northwest Territories as one of the leading diamond-producing regions in the world, with the royals as the primary audience, according to Pamela Strand, N.W.T.'s assistant deputy minister of mineral and petroleum resources.

"It really stems from the importance of the bilateral trade relationship between Belgium and the the Northwest Territories," said Strand, adding that a majority of the territory's diamonds travel through Antwerp, Belgium, at least once in their life cycle.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde spent about five minutes at each of the fourstations looking at diamond mining in the territory, said Strand.

The N.W.T.government spent about $20,000 in travel costs for freight, staffand Indigenous representatives, according to a department spokesperson.

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'The 1st time I got to meet royalty': chief

The royals also met Indigenous representatives who talked about sustainable use of natural resources, and watchedTlichodrummers perform.

Chiefs CliffordDaniels, Charlie Football, ErnestBetsina,MtisNation President Garry Bailey and eight other indigenous representatives attended the expo, alongside staff from the territory's Department of Industry, Tourism and Infrastructure.

"It was interesting the first time I got to meet royalty," said Chief Daniels of Behchoko, N.W.T.

"They also were very excited to be greeted by Aboriginal people of the North."

Daniels said the king and queen were curious about life in the North, how Indigenous people work with the diamond industries, and asked questions about the Tlichodrums and songs.

Daniels said that workers from his community have an indirect, but important connection to Belgium.

"We back at home are just involved in the mining part of it But those opportunities are there because you have people along the way that do a lot [like the Belgians]," said Daniels.

"If we look at the whole thing their hard work ... thatkind of spins off for us too."

Robin Laboline, a Tlicho drummer, said it was the best experience he's had and it was an honour to show the king and queen Tlichoculture and drumming.

The Belgian king and queen will be in Toronto Wednesday, and are scheduled to travel back home Saturday after visiting Montreal.

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