Appeared in the July 14, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
For more than a week, Kody Taylor kept her golden ticket to Ottawa for Canada Day a secret.
Taylor, of Riverton, was instructed by the office of David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, to keep under her hat the fact that she would be one of the guests at Rideau Hall, there to meet The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate.
“I was screaming in the office when I got the call on Jun. 22. I was not allowed to tell anyone. The event hadn’t been announced until Jun. 24,” Taylor recounted.
Taylor was invited to a reception in Ottawa in honour of the Duke and Duchess,
“To celebrate the exceptional service of Canadian youth towards a smart and caring nation,” said the formal invitation.
She flew out to Canada’s capital on Jun. 30.
Taylor is currently the president of the National Association of Friendship Centres Aboriginal Youth Council, a position she will hold until July, 2012. In that capacity, she had the honour of presenting Prince William with a special gift of aboriginal artwork, an authentic replica of Chippewa beadwork from the 1880s. The piece was created by Metis artist, Brian Cyr, of Winnipeg.
“I was one of the last youth delegates that Prince William spoke to,” Taylor said.
During her brief stay in Ottawa, Taylor was grouped with other aboriginal delegates who were invited. Taylor met representatives from the National Aboriginal Health Organization, from the Bloodvein First Nation, and others. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, was there and talked about friendship centre programs. The groups got to mingle with either Kate and Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, or with William and Governor General, David Johnston, depending on which group they were in.
“We had a group discussion on who does what. Kate asked questions about what everyone did,” said Taylor.
Poor weather forced the reception indoors. After all the formalities, a range of appetizers, made by chefs in training, were served, along with sparkling apple cider and other beverage selections.
Taylor wore a black pencil skirt and jacket, accessorized by aboriginal beaded earrings and bracelet, while Kate wore a lovely blue and white dress.
“I don’t get super nervous before public speaking, but I was incredibly nervous—probably the most nervous I have ever been,” said Taylor. “I never thought I’d be invited to an event as important as that: Royalty, the Prime Minister. It was a pretty important once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Taylor stayed on to Celebrate Canada Day with more than 300,000 people on Canada Hill.
“There were bands on the Hill –“Great Big Sea,” who I really like–a lot of events. There were so many people you couldn’t see across the street.”
“I walked around and just experienced everything. Everyone was dressed up—in red and white flag capes, and maple leaf painted faces. It was just incredible. One person was dressed in a red spandex body suit from head to foot.”
Taylor returned home on July 2 after the whirlwind of excitement.
“I slept on the plane,” she said.
