Wendake, February 14, 2019 – “When Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Jody Wilson-Raybould as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in November 2015, we all felt that the relationship between the Canadian state and Indigenous Peoples entered a new chapter, a more positive one,” declared Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. “With the announcement of her resignation after being demoted to Veterans affairs earlier this year, we are very concerned, like many First Nations in the country, as to the many questions surrounding her departure that remain unanswered”, indicated Chief Picard.
Jody Wilson-Raybould is a lawyer with a remarkable track record. More specifically, she was an advisor to the British Columbia Treaty Commission. She was also elected Commissioner by the First Nations Chiefs Summit in British Columbia. Subsequently, her career led her to serve nearly two terms as BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief, and she was later elected as Member of Parliament.
“I worked with Jody during one of our most challenging times under the Harper government. She is a strong leader, deeply committed to making it right for her peoples. She is always ready to negotiate while upholding the highest standards when it comes down to our principles,” stated Chief Picard who added, before concluding: “I will stand by our sister Jody. If there is a time when she needs our support and our solidarity, it is now.”
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.
