Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip began their royal visit to Canada on Monday by paying tribute to the First Nations.

Four Native veterans and a drum group greeted the royal delegation at the airport. The welcoming ceremony honored Native veterans, including the 9,000 who fought in World War II.

The Queen and Prince Philip then headed to the First Nations University. The Queen presented the school with a stone that she said represented the treaties her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria signed with First Nations.

"It symbolizes the foundation of the rights of First Nations people reflected in treaties signed with the Crown during her reign," she said, according to news reports. She was later presented with a star quilt and Prince Philip was given a pair of moccasins.

The Queen and Prince Philip will head to Alberta on Friday for five days. Philip is to meet with Native leaders there.

Get the Story:
'Grandmother' Pow Wows Indian Subjects (The UK Press Associated 5/18)
Queen arrives in Saskatchewan (CBC 5/17)
Queen arrives in Regina (CBC 5/17)
Fans brave rain to greet Queen (CP 5/18)
Elizabeth, Philip begin 9-day tour of west (CanWest News Service 5/18)

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