Today is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the British Royal Proclamation, an historic document that legally mandated Canada to recognise Indigenous land rights.

This document was signed by George III and this morning at 8.30am a group of 25 people met at the George III statue on Pall Mall as part of a Global Day of Action called by Idle No More, the uprising of First Nations peoples.

“Idle No More calls on all peoples to raise (y)our voices and take action in support of:– Our Land — Our Water — Our Bodies — Our Stories — Our Future — Indigenous Sovereignty!”

At 10am a Pipe Ceremony was held at Canada Gate, Green Park, by a delegation of Chiefs and elders from First Nations groups. Other events are taking place today across the world, including Canterbury and Sheffield in the UK.

Here is a selection of photos from this morning’s event. In the photos you can see the banner of the Whitefish Lake First Nation, a ‘swag bag’ or thief’s bag held by George III with “colonies” written on it, and a solidarity scroll, which reads: “Solidarity with Idle No More, #Oct7Proclaim, 250 Year Anniversary. On 7th October 1763 King George III of England promised to respect First Nations’ Land Rights and Sovereignty.”