Education top agenda item at AFN Special Chiefs Assembly

12/09/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Chief Lloyd Phillips and Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. will be attending a three-day Assembly of First Nations ‘Special Chiefs Assembly’ near Ottawa from Tuesday through Thursday, 10 to 12 Tsothóhrha/ December. 

The top agenda item will be the proposed First Nations Education Act. The MCK has been very clear in its position and Kahnawà:ke is prepared to help lead the way in creating a united approach against the legislation, which it sees as paternalistic, unconstitutional and a step in the wrong direction.

Another topic of special interest to Kahnawà:ke is Land Claims.

“I expect a very interesting week,” said Chief Phillips. “There will be discussions on the ongoing national work with regard to comprehensive claims and treaty implementation. Commitments were made by Prime Minister Harper during the height of the Idle No More movement. He made commitments – now we’ll test that commitment.”

Primarily, the issues surrounding removal of ‘extinguishment, surrender and certainty’ from Federal policy will be discussed, with the ultimate goal being to replace this with ‘recognition and reconciliation’ of rights and jurisdiction.

The meetings are being held in Gatineau, Quebec.