AFNQL meeting to address contentious federal legislation

02/17/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Ratitsénhaienhs Clinton Phillips is attending a special meeting of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador (AFNQL) addressing the issues arising from the passage of federal legislation in 2014 (officially titled the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interest or Rights Act) that deals with the division of property in cases of divorce or break-up of common law relationships.

The meetings will take place tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday at Wendake.

Kahnawà:ke passed its own legislation in 2015 (known as the Kahnawà:ke Family Homes Law) as a response to the federal law.

“The Canadian law has been problematic from the start,” said Ratitsénhaienhs Phillips. “Native communities were put in a position to create their own legislation within a year or accept the Canadian law ‘as is.’ We’re finding out that we’re not the only community that has great concerns in this matter and we’re pleased that the AFNQL is looking into this matter.”
 
Ratitsénhaienhs Phillips will be accompanied by Chief Political Advisor Winona Polson-Lahache and Project Leader Lloyd Phillips.

Additionally, Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett is scheduled to meet with the AFNQL chiefs on Friday.