Native people in Alberta are playing a key role in the Queen of England's upcoming royal visit, the province's aboriginal affairs minister said.

Pearl Calahasen said her office has worked to ensure that Native people are part of "festivities." But as for the Queen's actual schedule, "we're not involved in that," she told CBC News.

Native leaders in Alberta say they are being treated as "token" Indians for the upcoming visit. "They asked us to be there in our buckskins and feathers," Tsuu T'ina Chief Sandford Big Plume was quoted as saying. "Our contribution should be more than symbolic."

The Queen and Prince Philip will be in Alberta and Saskatchewan this month. They will pay tribute to Native veterans and will have dinner with Native leaders at an official state dinner. Philip will also meet with Native leaders in Alberta.

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Aboriginal role in Queen's visit key: minister (CBC 5/12)

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