Grand Chief disgusted by planned Education legislation

12/13/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is outraged to learn of Canada’s most recent legislative approach on First Nations issues, targeting Kindergarten-to-Grade12 on-reserve education that is ‘focused on creating and defining system standards and structures that are more comparable to provincial standards’ and ‘structures, and defining funding mechanisms.’

This type of approach would be a step away from Kahnawà:ke’s long-standing commitment to advancing a more culturally-based education curriculum and system.

Canada has released a statement announcing that Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) intend to ‘consult’ First Nations in the processing of draft legislation on First Nations education. The announcement follows in the wake of numerous grassroots-organized demonstrations across the country calling for improved treaty and nation-to-nation based relations between Canada and First Nations.

Canada says it plans to conduct seven regional week-long consultation sessions across Canada, and included the release of a discussion guide that outlines the general scope and objectives the legislation would assume.

“In light of our recent press release regarding the arrogant and outrageous passing of Omnibus Bill-45 last week, we are disgusted by the announcement of further legislative approaches targeting the education of our most precious resource – our children,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “We have an inherent right to govern ourselves through forming our own laws and statutes that are coherent with our own Indigenous identity, and affirm that Kahnawà:ke asserts its own lawmaking on community affairs.” 

“At this point in time, it is now more important than ever to rise together and work to protect and assert our collective rights,” he concluded.