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Prince William and Kate to tour the Central Coast region

India Blooms News Service | | Sep 27, 2016, at 04:32 am

#Prince William #Kate Middleton #Great Bear Rainforest #Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Initiative #First Nations

Bella Bella, B.C., Sept 26 (IBNS): Prince William and his wife Kate will be enjoying the natural beauty and indigenous culture of British Columbia on Monday, as they tour down the pristine rainforest in the Central Coast region.

The royal couple would be dedicating the renowned Great Bear Rainforest which homes the white Kermode or spirit bear, as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative.

The initiative was launched in 2015 to build up a network of forest conservation programs involving all 53 countries in the Commonwealth.

As part of the network, regions can share ideas and innovations about forest conservation and receive global attention for their efforts.

In the beginning of the year, the province and the Coast First Nations including the Heiltsuk declared they would increase protection of the area, conserving 85 percent of the forested areas from industrial logging.

Prior to the Royal Couple’s visit, Heiltsuk First Nation Chief Marilyn Slett made a statement saying, "We are greatly honoured to be in the world spotlight with this recognition of our work to protect our lands, waters and resources."

Apart from enjoying the virgin beauty of the land, William and Kate will take part in cultural ceremonies at the Wawiskas Community Hall in Bella Bella.

The duo would also meet with Head Hereditary Chief Woyala who will be bearing a Royal Staff given to his great-grandfather from Queen Victoria.

The couple spent an eventful day in the city of Vancouver. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured the pregnancy outreach program Sheway, understanding how its services help mothers overcome challenges, like drug and alcohol addictions.

Sheway, designed like the Glasgow Women's Reproductive Health Service Unit, to serve women with major social problems was opened by William's mother Princess Diana in 1990.

Allison Wright, a mother of two under five, said the visit by the royal couple gave those who benefit from the program a chance to be seen as people "and not just a problem to be solved."

William and Kate's tour of Vancouver completed with a visit to the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station where the royal couple met first responders and discussed the mental-health implications of working in emergency services.

(Reporting by the Canada desk)

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