Zero consultation by Canada regarding First Nations Education Act

04/10/2014

With today�s First Reading of the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (�Education Act�) in Canada�s Parliament, the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to reiterate its position regarding the legislation.

This announcement comes after a joint press conference was held earlier today in Kahnaw�:ke by the MCK, the Longhouse on 207, and Kahnaw�:ke Education Working Group affirming this community�s united position against the imposition of the Education Act.

�As a community, we have been clear that we are strongly opposed to this legislation and the unjust manner in which it has been forced upon First Nations,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr. �When the Education Act was formally announced on February 7th, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said that it was one of the most comprehensive consultations ever held. I must again be very clear and reveal that there was no consultation held with Kahnaw�:ke.�

�Despite our repeated requests to meet with Canada on education, the federal government has not bothered to engage one of the largest and politically active communities on this matter � that is fact,� continued Chief Delisle. �Kahnaw�:ke are our own true Rights holders and no other body has a mandate to engage in activities that affect those rights except Kahnaw�:ke itself. So if there is a feeling in Ottawa that we�ve had our say in the matter, Ottawa is sadly mistaken. We accept no imposition � period.�

Grand Chief Delisle has been working toward scheduling a meeting with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo on this matter in the near future. Efforts to schedule a meeting directly with Minister Valcourt to discuss education matters continue.