Chiefs in Ottawa today to address C-33 Education legislation

04/28/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. and Education Portfolio Chief Rhonda Kirby will be in Ottawa today to participate in a special chiefs’ assembly being organized by the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. The assembly has been called in regard to the Canadian C-33 First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (‘C-33’) legislation that was formally introduced into the House of Commons on 10, Onerahtókha/ April.

The chiefs will be accompanied by MCK Education Project Leader Winona Polson-Lahache.

The assembly will begin at 11am. Agenda items include an analysis of Bill C-33; the First Nations Educations Council’s review of the law; articles in opposition and in favor of C-33; future positions and actions; and an update on the application for judicial review.

Additionally, Grand Chief Delisle has been asked to participate in a separate, though related, event this morning. A press conference is being organized by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat to address strong opposition to C-33 by a growing number of First Nations communities, governments and organizations. Speakers will include Grand Chief Delisle, Chief Craig Makinaw of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, Okimaw Wallace Fox of the Onion Lake Cree Nation, Gordon Peters of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, and Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.