Faced with “lack of will and listening” from governments, the Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) are reaffirming their right to self-determination and self-governance by establishing an “Office “will be allocated.
This body will be used to support First Nations governments in exercising their right to self -determination, the chief explained.AFNQLGhislain Picard, at a press conference Thursday in Montreal.
The “Office of Self-Determination and Self-Government” may be specific conduct a study [et] research in areas related to self -determinationmake sure strategic and media monitoring of issues related to self -determination and self -government and increase the abilities of First Nations to develop their own laws, adapted to their realities.
According to the chief members ofAFNQLthe provincial and federal governments show a overt unwillingness to build healthy and egalitarian relationships including the First Nations.
I want to remind François Legault and his government that we are alive, the First Nations are alive [et] are focused on their future, ”Mr. Picard said in the announcement. We are unique human beings with inherent rights, including the right to self -determination and self -government.
” Exercising this right of self -determination is not an action against Quebecers and Canadians. Rather, it is an action done by and for us, for our nations and our communities. “
That the general population is unaware of the existence of these rights, I understand that, he continued. But the governments of Quebec and Canada have no excuse.
A relationship frustrating with the Quebec government
With the provincial elections in Quebec approaching, Ghislain Picard returned to the failures that have plagued relations between the Legault government and the First Nations in recent years.
[Des points de rupture], there are some, he pointed out. This is not a relationship to be taken seriously.
” We are not the UPA [Union des producteurs agricoles]we are not civil society, we are governments that recognize themselves in this way with responsibilities placed on us and we expect to treat them that way. “
From compromise to compromise, we lend ourselves to a consultation exercise and to existing mechanisms such as parliamentary committees, we put in place solutions, but if no one on the other side listens, we end up frustrated. and disrespectful findings.he concludes.
Source: Radio-Canada
