MCK applauds Montreal Reconciliation Strategy

11/05/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to thank the City of Montreal for its renewed efforts toward reconciliation.

Ietsénhaienhs Gina Deer, who attended yesterday’s launch of the Reconciliation Strategy with Indigenous Peoples on behalf of the MCK, said the event showed that Mayor Valérie Plante’s administration is willing to continue on the road to better relations.

“There have been more inroads towards real reconciliation in the past five years than in my lifetime,” said Ietsénhaienhs Deer, who spoke at the event. “There have been a significant number of initiatives that have demonstrated the commitment to the spirit of reconciliation. Some have been very prominent, like the appointment of Indigenous Affairs Commissioner Marie-Eve Bordeleau, the addition of the Tree of Peace to the City of Montreal flag, the changing of a couple of street names, and replacing historically inaccurate or culturally-insensitive plaques.”

“We hope that Mme. Plante’s actions will inspire other cities and municipalities to take similar paths,” she added. “For us, Montreal has been a neighbor for hundreds of years. It’s time that we become friends. The Reconciliation Strategy unveiled today provides a roadmap for that eventuality.”