Quebec Chiefs to meet with Feds re - proposed First Nations Education Act

03/26/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Chief Lloyd Phillips is in Wendake to meet with Quebec chiefs and Regional Chief Ghislain Picard, who are preparing for a meeting tomorrow with Canada regarding concerns over federal plans to develop a First Nations education act. The chiefs are strongly opposed to the consultation process that Canada is using in its development of the controversial legislation.

Kahnawà:ke is leading the movement to put forth the position that the proposed consultation is flawed and is actually a breach of their duty to properly consult and accommodate.

“The proposed legislation fails to address our concerns regarding lack of adequate funding, the recognition of our jurisdiction and the potential to off-load education responsibilities to the provinces,” said Chief Phillips, who is attending as the MCK’s representative to the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL). “The Harper government is continuing to push its agenda with little concern for what anyone has to say, so we must continue to make our voices heard.”

Today’s meeting, which will take place in Quebec City, will mainly consist of a session to coordinate the Chiefs’ approach in preparation to tomorrow’s meeting, where the AFNQL chiefs will clearly state their position as a region. 

“In particular, I want to make sure that Canada knows exactly where Kahnawà:ke stands on this issue,” Chief Phillips concluded.