Grand Chief disgusted by planned Education legislation

12/13/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) is outraged to learn of Canada�s most recent legislative approach on First Nations issues, targeting Kindergarten-to-Grade12 on-reserve education that is �focused on creating and defining system standards and structures that are more comparable to provincial standards� and �structures, and defining funding mechanisms.�

This type of approach would be a step away from Kahnaw�:ke�s long-standing commitment to advancing a more culturally-based education curriculum and system.

Canada has released a statement announcing that Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) intend to �consult� First Nations in the processing of draft legislation on First Nations education. The announcement follows in the wake of numerous grassroots-organized demonstrations across the country calling for improved treaty and nation-to-nation based relations between Canada and First Nations.

Canada says it plans to conduct seven regional week-long consultation sessions across Canada, and included the release of a discussion guide that outlines the general scope and objectives the legislation would assume.

�In light of our recent press release regarding the arrogant and outrageous passing of Omnibus Bill-45 last week, we are disgusted by the announcement of further legislative approaches targeting the education of our most precious resource � our children,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr. �We have an inherent right to govern ourselves through forming our own laws and statutes that are coherent with our own Indigenous identity, and affirm that Kahnaw�:ke asserts its own lawmaking on community affairs.� 

�At this point in time, it is now more important than ever to rise together and work to protect and assert our collective rights,� he concluded.