Quebec Chiefs to meet with Feds re - proposed First Nations Education Act

03/26/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Chief Lloyd Phillips is in Wendake to meet with Quebec chiefs and Regional Chief Ghislain Picard, who are preparing for a meeting tomorrow with Canada regarding concerns over federal plans to develop a First Nations education act. The chiefs are strongly opposed to the consultation process that Canada is using in its development of the controversial legislation.

Kahnaw�:ke is leading the movement to put forth the position that the proposed consultation is flawed and is actually a breach of their duty to properly consult and accommodate.

�The proposed legislation fails to address our concerns regarding lack of adequate funding, the recognition of our jurisdiction and the potential to off-load education responsibilities to the provinces,� said Chief Phillips, who is attending as the MCK�s representative to the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL). �The Harper government is continuing to push its agenda with little concern for what anyone has to say, so we must continue to make our voices heard.�

Today�s meeting, which will take place in Quebec City, will mainly consist of a session to coordinate the Chiefs� approach in preparation to tomorrow�s meeting, where the AFNQL chiefs will clearly state their position as a region. 

�In particular, I want to make sure that Canada knows exactly where Kahnaw�:ke stands on this issue,� Chief Phillips concluded.