British Columbia swore in its first Native lieutenant-governor on Monday but the event didn't go off without some controversy. Steven Point, 57, a former chief of the Sto:lo First Nation, received a full ceremony with a 15-gun salute, bagpipes, a military honor guard and a drum group. He vowed a new era in the government's relationship with First Nations. "It's a drumbeat in this great hall [that] will ring forever as it has heralded in an old spirit of our peoples, which, in my opinion, has been a long time coming," he said, CBC News reported. But there was no official record of the event in the public record. Premier Gordon Campbell said he was furious to learn of the mishap. Then there was some concern over murals that were covered up for the ceremony. First Nations leaders have complained that the murals portray Native people in an unfavorable light. Native leaders appreciated the gesture but after the swearing-in was over, the curtains were removed. There are plans to remove the murals entirely. Get the Story:
First Nations leader sworn in as B.C.'s lieutenant-governor (CBC 10/1)
Controversial murals covered up for ceremony (The Victoria Times-Colonist 10/2)
First Nations drums welcome B.C.'s new lieutenant-governor (The Victoria Times-Colonist 10/2)
A day of history, punctuated with controversy (The Daily Globe and Mail 10/2)
First Nations lieutenant-governor will work for reconciliation (CP 10/2)
