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Prince Charles and Camilla visit Indigenous community on final day of Canadian tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are in Canada as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations

prince charles camilla dettah
Zachary Harper
Digital Director for Hello! CanadaToronto
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prince charles camilla leave ottawa© Photo: Getty Images

It was a rainy day when Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla departed Ottawa for Yellowknife, where they were set to conclude their three-day Canadian tour.

MORE: The best photos from Prince Charles and Camilla's second day in Canada

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will meet with Indigenous leaders and community organizations in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. 

On their first day, the royal pair flew in to St. John's, where they also met with Indigenous leaders and those in the community. The second day saw them take in nearly a dozen engagements in the Canadian capital, meeting with the Ukrainian community, Afghan refugees, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary May Simon. 

Keep scrolling to see how their final day in Canada goes in Yellowknife! 

WATCH: Prince Charles delivers a speech on the Queen's behalf at the State Opening of Parliament in London earlier this month

prince charles camilla yellowknife snowshoes© Photo: Getty Images

After arriving in Yellowknife, the Cornwalls were given welcome gifts including these gorgeous snowshoes. Charles was very taken with the craftsmanship. 

camilla prince charles yellowknife© Photo: Getty Images

The Cornwalls' first stop after arriving in the Northwest Territories was Dettah, a community just outside Yellowknife, where they were welcomed by Chief Edward Sangris (left, next to Camilla) and Ndila Chief Fred Sangris (right, next to Charles).

The royals participated in a Feeding the Fire ceremony, in which the Dene give thanks to the Creator. 

Charles and Camilla placed tobacco offerings on the fire. In many Indigenous cultures, tobacco is considered sacred, and is used for important spiritual healing and ceremonial purposes. 

prince charles yellowknife© Photo: Getty Images

The couple then saw a demonstration of traditional tanning practices. The artistry was exceptional! 

prince charles dettah© Photo: Getty Images

Charles then had meet-and-greet with the community in Dettah. 

prince charles drum dance© Photo: Getty Images

Charles then went inside the Council Chambers to participate in a traditional drum dance that was part of the Dene Hand Game competitions. He thoroughly enjoyed himself! 

prince charles dettah 2© Photo: Getty Images

Selfies were taken. 

prince charles rangers© Photo: Getty Images

From there, Charles headed to Fred Henne Territorial Park to visit a Ranger station. The Canadian Rangers are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.

The Prince of Wales, who has long been advocate for the planet, met with them to discuss their climate change work. Charles also got to try out a skidoo! 

RELATED: How climate change has altered Prince Charles's diet

prince charles dettah ice road© Photo: Getty Images

Later, Charles was given a tour of the Dettah Ice Road near Great Slave Lake. It connects Yellowknife with the community and is rebuilt every year.

MORE: Prince William says there's "no time to waste" in climate change battle

RELATED: A big reason Prince William wants to help solve climate change

Due to climate change, the road is open for less time each year, meaning the community faces isolation and must reach other cities by air – something that isn't sustainable or affordable for most people. There are thoughts the community may need to be relocated to the Arctic Ocean to Tutktoyaktuk in the next few years. 

Climate change is also causing erosion along the coast, which is destroying ancient archeological sites in the area. 

prince charles dettah speech© Photo: Getty Images

Charles and Camilla later reconnected at the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, where they met with local food producers, heard how climate change is affecting them and also learned about Treaty 11 and what it means to Indigenous communities in Yellowknife. Charles also made a speech there. 

prince charles camilla dettah 2© Photo: Getty Images

While there, Charles and Camilla saw a group of Indigenous Games athletes demonstrate the two-foot-high kick and Alaskan-high kick.

In the former, people jump using both feet, touch a hanging target with them, and land. In the later, they balance on one foot while holding the other, kick a target and land on both feet. 

prince charles leaving canada© Photo: Getty Images

With that, the tour concluded and Charles and Camilla boarded the plane for the flight home. Have a safe trip, and thanks for visiting! 

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