“We’ve been tread upon and ignored.” said Grand Chief Michael Delisle of the Mohawk Nation community of Kahnawake, near the city of Montreal, on Tuesday (April 15), as he reacted to the tabling last Thursday of a proposed new Canadian government bill, the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.
In presenting the bill, Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt said it meets the five conditions outlined by the Assembly of First Nations and chiefs during a meeting in December. The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleo urged First Nation leaders to analyze the legislation, but did not condemn it.
But Chief Delisle, and other First Nations across Canada are questioning the goals and result of the new legislation, and also the right of Chief Atleo to speak for all First Nations in Canada.
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda spoke to Grand Chief Michael Delisle about the legislation and reaction to it.
ListenMore information:
Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke press release – Zero consultation by Canada regarding First Nations Education Act (pdf) – here
First Nations Education Act Working Group (FNEAWG) of Kahnawake – resources – here
Aboriginal Affairs press release – Bill C-33, First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act Introduced in the House of Commons – here
Global News – FSIN opposed to revamped First Nations education bill – here
Assembly of First Nations press release – First Nations Must Drive Next Steps – here
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