Kahnawake applauds stance of AFNQL AFN against proposed First Nations Education Act

10/24/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) applauds the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador (AFNQL) and the Assembly of First Nations (national organization) for their firm stance on Canada’s proposed First Nations Education Act and would like to assure Kahnawa’kehró:non that the MCK shares their concerns and will do everything possible to defend the community’s position on this imposition.

On 21, Seskéha/October the federal government officially announced that the controversial legislation would move forward.

“The Federal government has never bothered to properly consult with Native people regarding our education needs, and we feel that the Harper Conservatives have no intention of listening to us anyway,” said Education Portfolio Chief Rhonda Kirby. “Chief Bobby Patton and I are committed to work together with the technical team (which consists of the Combined Schools Committee, portfolio chiefs, educators and Longhouse representatives) to ensure that the educational and cultural needs of Kahnawà:ke’s children are defended and promoted.”

“Their (Canada’s) proposed law makes no provisions for the things that are most important to us,” said Chief Bob Patton, who shares the Education Portfolio. “There are no guarantees for adequate funding and language and culture are barely mentioned. The Conservatives always blame First Nations for the problems that the government created. We congratulate the AFNQL and also the Assembly of First Nations for their strong positions on this urgent matter.”  

“The legal opinion presented by the First Nations Education Council focuses on the lack of proper consultation conducted by Canada on the proposed legislation,” added Interim Director of Education Robin Delaronde on behalf of the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC). “The proposed Act ignores inherent rights and, most specifically, First Nations rights to control education. In addition, the proposed mandatory compliance with provincial standards and school board partnerships goes against what the KEC was created for over thirty years ago. We’re working with the FNEC on this and may demand a nation to nation discussion with Canada regarding this proposed Education Act.”