AFNQL and FNEC Condemn Media Attack on First Nations for History Textbook Changes Across Quebec
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFNQL and FNEC Condemn Media Attack on First Nations for History Textbook Changes Across Quebec
Wendake, November 22, 2018 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) wish to address the journalists, academics and historians who recently confronted First Nations, in various forums, on the changes made to history textbooks, and in particular regarding certain derogatory terms used in them.
First of all, to say that these changes are the result of lobbying is incorrect. On the contrary, we were invited by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES) to take part in advisory committees as part of a complete review of the history program which was by no means limited to First Nations. We considered the process to be an opportunity for discussion and collaboration with various education partners in Quebec.
Moreover, FNEC representatives who sat on these advisory committees have substantial expertise in the field, contrary to what was insinuated by certain members of the media.
FNEC Director General, Lise Bastien said, “While our suggestions were the result of several years of careful work, it is unfortunate that the people who made comments in the media did not consider the facts and references even though they had been presented on many occasions, and that they again chose to make First Nations scapegoats.”
AFNQL Chief, Ghislain Picard stated, “This is 2018, and we are not a lobby. The regressive and colonial rhetoric presented to us in the media recently, which claims that political correctness in history cannot be brought about, no longer holds sway. We will not let anyone tell us what terms should be used or not used when it comes to the history of our peoples and our nations. This is a warning for those who want to teach us a lesson. It is high time to stop giving a one-sided view of history seen through the eyes of the conqueror.”
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is a political organization consisting of 43 First Nations chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL.
About the FNEC
For over 30 years, the FNEC has been working to fulfill the right of First Nations to have complete authority over their education through the implementation of an education system that has adequate resources, and that is developed and managed according to their values and cultures. Further information is available at www.cepn-fnec.com
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Information:
Alain Garon: agaron@apnql.com Eve Bastien : ebastien@cepn-fnec.com
Communications Officer, AFNQL Communications Counsellor, FNEC
Mobile: 418-254-4620 Telephone: 418-842-7672 ext. 3001
First Nations Quebec-Labrador 2018 Gathering of Youth and Elders
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador are seeking two youth and two elders from each community to participate in their 2018 Gathering of Youth and Elders.
If you wish to be considered, please submit your name and contact information to Brandey Barnaby at 418-788-2136.
Seeking Elders to Facilitate Youth and Elders Gathering
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec-Labrador Youth Network (FNQLYN) are currently working together on the organization of a youth and elders gathering that will take place from July 11th to the 15th 2018, at the Centre Vacances Lac Simon, located in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf (http://www.vacanceslacsimon.com ), located one hour away from Quebec City.
This gathering will bring together young people and elders from all First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. The main theme will be Culture, with a particular focus placed on intergenerational transmission of knowledge and know-how.
At this point, in order to develop the programming of the gathering, we would like to request your recommendations for elders who might be interested and available to contribute to the gathering to facilitate cultural workshops with Youth. Their knowledge can be of various nature, and we are open to any suggestions, whether for techniques related to culinary preparation, for example the preparation and cooking of game meat, embroidery, legends or traditional knowledge on animals and plants.
For any information, or to provide suggestions, please contact Danny Robertson before April 15, 2018 at:
Danny Robertson
418 842-5020 Ext. 4003
Thank you for your collaboration!
Important Update – Public Security
Memo
Date: March 26, 2018
To: Grands Chiefs, Chefs of the AFNQL
Ad Hoc Committee of First Nations Chiefs of Police
From: Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL
Re: Important Update – Public Security
I am forwarding this brief update on the Public Security file and more specifically, on policing services for the signatories of tripartite agreements.
You will recall that as part of the conclusions of the March 12th meeting convened by AFNQL, it was recommended to denounce the dishonest tactics by Canada and Quebec who claimed good faith negotiations with your representatives for the renewal of the agreements expiring in less than a week.
We took advantage of the opportunity offered by the Viens Commission to participate in the hearings held in Montreal on March 22nd, to report what we consider to be the bad faith on the part of the government parties. Our message was heard as the Commissioner issued the following day a call for clear action that our police services should be recognized as an essential service, that agreements be extended by one year with the necessary financial upgrade and that governments engage in good faith negotiations, considering the real needs of our communities.
Both Canada and Quebec reacted the very next day after our hearing before the Viens Commission. We consulted with the members of the Ad Hoc Committee on March 23rd and we called both Ministers Coiteux and Goodale cabinets to inquire about their positions. They both confirmed being ready to act on Judge Viens’ recommendation. However, I did note some resistance from the Quebec government. The following represents the elements on which there would be an agreement to continue the discussions with the government parties.
- Contrary to what the letters sent last week to most agreements holders, Quebec has indicated that the true deadline to obtain a written confirmation is March 31 rather than March 23. (This information has been shared with your Chiefs of Police);
- The implementation of the 6.10.2 Clause which allows for the renewal of tripartite agreements;
- Contrary to the correspondence sent to the communities, the renewal would take into account the most recent variable offers that were presented to you;
- We asked both cabinets that governments confirm their commitment in writing to all the signatories to the tripartite agreements. This communication will also have to confirm that they agree on a process that allows for discussions that can lead to longer-term agreements.
We will have to pay attention to the provincial budget which will be presented next March 27.
Obviously, the work must continue to ensure the renewal of the agreements to the satisfaction of the communities. We have seen proof over the last few weeks that we need to remain vigilant, but above all, we proved that governments’ parties have acted in bad faith.
Do not hesitate to give me a call for any additional information.
In closing, I must thank those who helped in presenting a convincing case before the Viens Commission. The testimonies were determining.
Indigenous Policing Services: an essential service and not a program
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Indigenous Policing Services: an essential service and not a program
Wendake, March 26, 2018 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) welcomes the third call for action issued on March 23rd by Commissioner Viens in the context of the Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec (Viens Commission). This call for action echoes the hearings held on March 21-22, 2018 in Montreal and attests that changes need to be made in light of the public safety state of emergency in First Nations communities.
Based on the troubling testimonies shared on March 22nd by the AFNQL representatives, including the need for Canada and Quebec to put in place a concrete and urgent action plan, significant changes are required. If indigenous policing is an essential service, just as it is for any other police force, fair and equitable treatment can only be provided through legislation and non- administrative means.
“I am grateful to Commissioner Viens for listening and for his willingness to ensure fair and equitable treatment for our police services by both levels of government,” said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. Chief Picard recommends, among other things, that First Nations wishing to extend their tripartite agreement ending March 31st for one more year have this opportunity, particularly to ensure that a true tripartite negotiation process be deployed, without the threat of having to sign, within a few days, a non-compliant long-term agreement or without being forced to dissolve their police force or to maintain it for a maximum of one year without any external financial assistance.
“Given the proposed provincial budget to be tabled tomorrow, it will be interesting to see whether the Quebec Government has heard the call for action from the Viens Commission so that a new era towards real reconciliation can begin, of course assuming the end of all forms of discrimination against our citizens, “said Chief Picard.
Nevertheless, the AFNQL will continue to urge Canada and Quebec to ensure that concrete action is taken in response to the Commission’s recommendations and that a tripartite working table be set up quickly to take the needs of First Nations communities into account. The fundamental right to individual and collective security must be guaranteed to all First Nations people, as it is for any other citizen in Quebec.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL
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Source:
Alain Garon, agaron@apnql.com
Communications Officer
Cell. : 418 254-4620
Discrimination in First Nations Public Safety: the AFNQL Declares an Emergency Situation
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Discrimination in First Nations Public Safety: the AFNQL Declares an Emergency Situation
Montreal, March 22, 2018 – Following the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and during its hearing today before the Commission of inquiry on relations between Aboriginal people and certain public services in Quebec: Listening, reconciliation and progress in Montreal, the AFNQL intends to demonstrate that the treatment of First Nation public safety, which among others results in the underfunding of police forces, confirms that security in our communities does not get the same consideration as that of non-native citizens. The only conclusions in these circumstances is that there is discrimination. The AFNQL declares the urgent need to act to put an immediate end to this discrimination, to make room for full, fair and equitable essential services as those enjoyed by other citizens.
“The situation has gone on long enough and needs to be corrected without delay. How can we not react when the safety of our members is greatly compromised? That is not acceptable. We expect the Commission to take action of the unfair treatment imposed on our police forces, which are at the mercy of governments that take arbitrary measures with potentially tragic consequences in the execution of their work,” said the Chief of the AFNQL Ghislain Picard.
Just days away before the expiry of the agreements between the federal, provincial governments and First Nation governments, the AFNQL considers the situation untenable. The two governments determine alone the conditions that will govern future agreements to ensure the continuation of public security services within the communities. Are non-Indigenous police forces subject to the same conditions and are they subjected to the same pressures? No! Because public safety is an essential service anywhere else, except i First Nation communities. It should be noted that the funding of police services and the working and operating conditions of First Nation police forces are considerably inferior than those of other police forces in Quebec, including the Sûreté du Québec.
“First Nation Policing is still recognized as a program, not an essential service as they claim. If it was, we would not be in this same situation year after year. To start, we need legislated funding,” said Councillor Lloyd Alcon and AFNQL spokesperson for Public Safety.
“How can we accept such a discriminatory situation in a society like ours? Inhuman treatment related to the safety of our communities must give way to real justice and respect for the fundamental right to individual and collective security to which all citizens are entitled, regardless of who they are and where they are. In the face of such a nonsense, how can we believe in the reconciliation that the federal and provincial governments keep on boasting when really it is nothing more but smoke and mirrors? Instead of determining between themselves the rules that conduct our policing services, we invite them to sit down with us to define together the future of public safety for our Nations and to guarantee the security to which our people are entitled,” concluded Chief Picard.
Watch the live testimony of the AFNQL representatives at: https://www.cerp.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=53
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL
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Source:
Alain Garon, agaron@apnql.com
Communications Officer
Cell. : 418 254-4620
