Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities

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For immediate release

 

First Nations Education in Quebec:

Chiefs and the First Nations Education Council Working Together to Improve Education in their Communities

 

 

Montréal, April 5, 2018 – Chiefs of First Nations communities in Quebec, in association with the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), are gathered in Montréal today to discuss important issues related to elementary and secondary education in their communities. They are convinced their children need access to quality education, and they want to draw on the knowledge of their professionals in education and collective vision to develop a funding formula that will enable their schools to provide high quality and culturally adapted education services, and give their students opportunities for higher education.

 

 

Discussions were also held on the need to maintain special education services for at-risk students in First Nations schools and the importance of meeting the actual needs of the communities. Invited to participate in this very important meeting, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, Ghislain Picard, reminded those in attendance of the seriousness with which the communities are pursuing their efforts to create an education system that gives their children the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. Chief Picard stated, “Education is essential, and we are gathered here today to find solutions and courses of action that will make it possible to foresee an improvement of the education services offered in our communities.”

 

 

In devoting this day to the future of our children, we do not claim to address all current problems, but we are demonstrating our collective will to engage in a process to improve elementary and secondary education for First Nations youths in Quebec.

 

 

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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Source:

Lise Bastien

Director General

418-842-7672

lbastien@cepn-fnec.com

 

Seeking Elders to Facilitate Youth and Elders Gathering

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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

drobertson@apnql.com

418 842-5020 Ext. 4003

 

Thank you for your collaboration!

Head Start Applications Now Available for September Session

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Applications for the new September Session for Head Start students can now be filled out at the Head Start building, 6 B Pacific Drive, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  The deadline to fill out your form is June 8th, 2018.

 

Please contact Tina Martin at 418-788-3041 for more information.

One-Year Extension of Existing Tripartite Agreement

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The Listuguj, Quebec and Canadian governments have agreed to a one-year extension of the existing agreement on the provision of policing services while keeping with the recommendations from the Viens commission.

The one-year extension will allow for a true tri-partite negotiations table starting as early as April 2018 which will meet our current and future needs for a long-term agreement.

The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government was able to secure funding for the Listuguj Police Department’s operations during the extension, cover the costs incurred from own source revenue along with obtaining additional monies.

Despite the increase, Chief Gray made it clear to both Governments that the discriminatory clause in our agreement forcing us to sign under duress can no longer be a future requirement. “We need a system and legislation that establishes our police department as being on par, as it should be, with others that operate in our traditional territory.  The increased funding and commitment to negotiations for the long term lets us move forward without interruption and we can focus on continuing to build our police force.”

Important Update – Public Security

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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.

Discrimination in First Nations Public Safety: the AFNQL Declares an Emergency Situation

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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

Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government in Negotiations to Renew Tripartite Agreement

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PUBLIC NOTICE

 

Currently, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is in negotiations with the Federal Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Quebec to renew the Tripartite Agreement that funds the Listuguj Police Department. Under the Tripartite Agreement, Canada supplies 52% of the funding while Quebec supplies the remaining 48%.

At the moment, the negotiations for increased funding to meet the needs of our police department and to ensure a healthy and successful work environment are not being met. On average the Listuguj Police Department runs a $200,000 deficit each year due to budget constraints.

The Listuguj Police Department is unique in the fact that they hold no prejudice and do not only patrol the community of Listuguj. The nearest SQ detachment is located 20 minutes away in Matapedia, Quebec. Often, our officers are first on the seen in neighboring communities providing first responder aid and assistance.

71% of all cases brought forward to the Court House in New Carlisle are submitted by the Listuguj Police Department. Despite all the good work they do, the Listuguj Police officers are not treated equally in pay compared to their provincial and federal counterparts. An officer from the SQ or RCMP makes nearly double what an officer from the LPD is payed despite having the same amount of training, sometimes more. As a result of this wage gap, there is a high turnover rate of police officers in the LPD because other locations simply pay more.

The need for increased funding is to correct the pay gap, hire more employees as our LPD office is under-staffed, fund new recruits, and to replace old equipment.  Some of the equipment currently in use is outdated and poses additional risk to our officers in terms of safety and functionality.

It appears that the two respective governments are intentionally underfunding our police force in order for us to hire individuals from outside the community, mostly fresh out of the academy, for the purpose of gaining experience working in a First Nations community police setting. To what extent is unknown but the sentiment felt is that the purpose of underfunding our police force is to create complications and agitation in the work place to a point where we can no longer sustain our police detachment and have the province step in and police our community.

This was the case in Obedjiwan, Québec where they asked for a funding increase of $600,000 but were denied. The Quebec government had to step in and have the Sûreté du Québec police the community, costing the province $100,000 per week because the community could no longer fund their police department.

This Thursday (March 22nd, 2018) Councillor Lloyd Alcon will be testifying at the Viens Commission in Montreal to the importance of having our own Police Force and the negligent disregard of the combined governments for not considering native police as an essential service and merely that of a program.

For more information contact:

Gregory Wysote, Public Relations Officer
Gregory.wysote@Listuguj.ca
(418)-788-2136 ext. 2026

Federal and Provincial Government Fail to Fulfill Budget Promises

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2018 (Listuguj, Quebec) – Upon the Federal Government’s funding announcement in terms of First Nations Policing over the next five years, our Government was cautiously optimistic that they would receive the necessary funding to properly sustain their services for 2018-2019 and going forward.

“…We are presented with an offer that does not even begin to address the current situation and the need of our community, let alone scratch the surface of improving officer safety, training and equipment. This offer comes up about 93% short of where we should be starting as a minimum,” said Chief Darcy Gray.

“Forcing our First Nation Governments to sign under duress is not a true Government to Government negotiation process. It is the process Canada and Quebec impose on us, under the guise of reconciliation with our people. Waiting until the 11th hour to announce lower than standard funding is not only negligent and discriminatory but puts the safety and security of our communities in jeopardy. If funding for Federal, Provincial or Municipal police services were about to expire and the Governments did not respond to the agencies and the Canadian population, there would be chaos and they would never allow that to happen. This process clearly communicates that First Nations are not worth the same as the rest of the Canadian population.

First Nations 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 legislative funding,” said Councillor Lloyd Alcon.

 

For more information:

Greg Wysote, Public Relations Officer                       Hilary Barnaby, Communications Officer
gregory.wysote@listuguj.ca                                          hilary.barnaby@listuguj.ca
(418) 788-2136 (2026)                                                  (418) 788-2136 (2169)

Atlantic Salmon Unites Mi’gmaq, Anglophone and Francophone Organizations of the Restigouche River Watershed

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March 6, 2018 (Listuguj, Quebec) – On February 14th and 15th, interested groups from the Restigouche River Watershed gathered together for the 4th annual Salmon Summit. Listuguj Fisheries, in partnership with the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) and the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council hosted a two-day workshop in Campbellton, New Brunswick. The goal of the workshop was to strengthen relationships between all interested parties, as they moved forward in a united fashion, for Restigouche River Atlantic Salmon.

 

Dr. Alistair Bath, a human dimension’s in wildlife resource management expert, facilitated the workshop. Dr. Bath, from Memorial University, has over 35 years of experience bringing together groups around the world. “I think the group really focused on a lot of common ground and there are a lot of things that are really positive to move forward,” said Dr. Bath. “Governments really listen if a diverse group of interest can actually reach an agreement. I have had ministers of environment not change words of single management plans because, why pick a side when there is a diverse group that has agreed on something, let’s just accept that.”

 

During the two-day workshop, the groups planned ways to continue working together in a positive manner and strengthening their relationship. The groups formulated a vision statement during the workshop and it aims at “fostering relationships built on mutual respect of diverse cultures to enhance Atlantic salmon and its habitat for future generations.”

 

Science Director, Carole-Anne Gillis says, “The salmon is the one that brings us all together. We all care for it. It is what binds us even though there have been conflicts. No matter the differences in ways of knowing, we create a respectful space to learn from another. Locally, we strive to continue building these meaningful relationships.”

 

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with biologist Carole-Anne Gillis please call 1-418-750-5314 or email gilliscaroleann@hotmail.com.

Independent Inquiry Confirms that Suspension of Councillor was Justified

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An independent inquiry confirms that the Chief and Council’s suspension of Councillor Cathy Martin on November 7, 2017 was justified and appropriate.

Having conducted a thorough investigation of the relevant factual context that led to the councillor’s suspension, the independent investigator concluded that:

  • The Code of Conduct was properly applied;
  • The rules of procedural fairness have been followed appropriately;
  • The penalty imposed was justified; and,
  • The three month suspension and its terms were appropriate though on the high end.

Please see below a letter from the Sûreté du Québec.  The major crime unit in Chandler investigated the  file.  They came to the conclusion that there was no criminal offense.  Therefore, the file will be closed.

Click the following link to view a translated letter from the Major Crimes Unit in Chandler

Click the following link to view the original letter from the Major Crimes Unit in Chandler