Wendake, November 27, 2018 – During the recent Quebec election campaign, the Assembly of First Québec-Labrador (AFNQL) repeatedly asserted publicly and by letter to party leaders that the government-to-government political relationship between First Nations and the province of Quebec was to be revisited and that the essential conditions of this relationship are the backbone to improve community social and economic conditions.
“To this day, even before Premier Legault was formally seized of the Apuiat Wind Project as part of a Nation-to-Nation meeting with the Innu chiefs, the CEO of Hydro-Québec is converting media space into a political arena regarding the future of the project. Apuiat is the perfect example of a dossier suffering from the absence of a clear political relationship”, said the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.
The AFNQL has a duty to remind, among other things, that the development of an economy by and for First Nations shall be reflected through their significant participation in the establishment of the appropriate conditions of partnership at the political level. It is thus up to the Premier of Quebec to answer clearly and directly to the Innu chiefs as to the future of the Apuiat project.
“Although the exchanges between the Chiefs of the AFNQL and the Premier on November 16th announce the beginning of a frank and necessary dialogue between us, it is essential to remind that the relationship must be based on our Aboriginal and treaty rights, nothing less. We remain vigilant. We will have to react to any signal contrary to the openness demonstrated by Mr. Legault on behalf of his Government”, concluded the Chief of the AFNQL.
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
