MCK applaud Skawenniio Barnes for letter regarding First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act

03/31/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Chief & Council applaud Skawenn�:io Barnes in her effort to support Kahnaw�:ke�s position against the proposed First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (originally introduced as the �First Nations Education Act�).

In a 17-page letter to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada dated 28 March, 2014, Ms. Barnes offers a general response to the Act, specific points of contention, and a list of recommendations in the matter.

�Canada should abandon its current legislative proposal and, instead, initiate a new process�by working collaboratively with First Nations in designing and implementing a consultation process and policy acceptable to First Nations that respects their jurisdictional control,� she states in the letter, which she signed with six other community members.

�It is extremely important that individuals take action, not just institutions and organizations,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr. �We commend Skawenn�:io for taking the initiative to articulate her concerns and suggestions. She has managed to provide additional clarity and logic to the community�s position, and to the reasons why the Act wouldn�t work in Kahnaw�:ke.�

�We hope others will be inspired by her hard work, passion and sense of duty to the community,� he concluded.

The letter is available for viewing in its entirety at www.kahnawake.com.