Chief Lloyd Phillips and Quebec Chiefs to meet with Prime Minister and Cabinet

01/23/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Chief Lloyd Phillips will be part of a group of twelve delegates from the Quebec region who will meet tomorrow (24 Tsothohrk�:wa/January) with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Cabinet.

First Nations representatives from across the country will be attending the all-day Crown/First Nations Gathering �Strengthening Our Relationship � Unlocking Our Economic Potential,� which will be held on Parliament Hill.

Governor-General David Johnston, Prime Minister Harper and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo are scheduled to give opening addresses. The agenda will include the Government of Canada�s Progress Report; Unlocking the Potential of First Nations Economies; Strengthening the Relationship and Enabling Opportunity; and Realizing the Promise of First Nations People.  

�My message will be clear,� said Chief Phillips. �Canada and the Crown must honor their responsibilities for First nations by recognizing our rights and jurisdictions. More specifically to Kahnaw�:ke, we are developing our own laws and justice system � Canada must remove its imposition and engage in meaningful dialogue based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Two Row Wampum.�

Chief Phillips, who represents the MCK at both AFN and Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador meetings, will return to the office on Wednesday.