(Ottawa, ON) – “This conflict has been steadily escalating for more than a month. It is time for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the federal government, and the provincial government to intervene before someone gets badly injured or, possibly, killed. This has never been a commercial disagreement, and the actions of non-Indigenous fishers are meant to harass and intimidate the First Nations with whom they share the waters and the resources within them.
“The Supreme Court of Canada made it amply clear in its Marshall decision that Indigenous peoples have a right to fish those waters, and First Nations should not be bullied off the water in this thuggish manner. We expect the federal government to ensure the safety of everyone in Canada and to bring to justice to anyone who threatens violence or deprives others of their rights to food and a modest income.”
“Continued inaction by the police, and the unwillingness of the federal government to intervene directly in this dispute, only serves to increase the risk of racial violence and damage to these communities, which could last for generations. Justice must be served, and this intimidation must end.”
On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government and Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, President Johannes Lampe today extended his condolences to the family and friends of respected Innu elder, leader and activist, Bart Jack Sr., who passed away Tuesday.
“Mr. Jack was a true statesman who worked tirelessly for many decades to protect and advance Innu rights,” says President Lampe. “He was widely known in all political circles, and was certainly not afraid to stand up for his convictions. He gave freely of his time to help others, and was passionate about his culture, language and identity.”
President Lampe says he will remember Mr. Jack as someone who had an uncanny ability to handle every situation in which he found himself with a sense of proportion, and a straight-forward resolve to achieve solutions or get desired results on issues affecting the Innu and, indeed, all of Labrador. “Mr. Jack’s passing is a huge loss for all of us. He has left his mark on so many, and while we mourn his death, we also celebrate a life that was well lived.”
Wendake, le 14 octobre 2020 – Le Conseil desfemmes élues de l’APNQL et Femmes Autochtones du Québec (FAQ) ont récemment déposé un mémoire afin de partager leurs observations quant à la politique sur les interpellations policières dans le SPVM.
L’actualité nous rappelle cruellement à quel point être autochtone, c’est être confronté au racisme systémique qui existe dans les services publics. Les femmes des Premières Nations connaissent trop ces situations dans les soins de santé, dans les services juridiques, dans le milieu carcéral bref, dans toutes les sphères de la société.
La sécurité publique ne fait pas exception. Les Autochtones sont entre quatre et cinq fois plus à risque que les personnes non racisées quant à la probabilité moyenne de se faire interpeller par le SPVM. Les interpellations ont augmenté de presque sept fois auprès des Autochtones depuis 2014 et les femmes autochtones précisément constituent un groupe particulièrement ciblé.
Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL et Femmes Autochtones du Québec unissent leurs voix pour demander à la Commission de la sécurité publique de considérer sérieusement les deux mémoires déposés par leur organisation respective afin de s’assurer que cette politique répondra aux besoins particuliers des femmes.
Tout mauvais traitement et toute prestation de services guidés par le racisme, les préjugés et les stéréotype envers les femmes autochtones en particulier doivent cesser.
Le traitement réservé à notre sœur Joyce Echaquan n’était malheureusement pas un cas isolé ni unique aux services de santé. Cela nous amène, le Conseil des femmes élues de l‘APNQL et Femmes Autochtones du Québec, à rappeler à l’ensemble des institutions publiques leur responsabilité quant à la prestation de services équitables, exempts de racisme systémique. « Nos femmes sont humaines et elles ont des droits comme tous les Québécois. La femme Première Nation a aussi droit à la sécurité, à la protection et elle a droit à la justice. Son droit fondamental est surtout d’être respectée », affirme Adrienne Jérôme co-porte-parole du Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL.
« Nos femmes doivent se voir garantir le respect de leurs droits humains universels, en particulier à la vie, à la sécurité et à la protection, sans discrimination et au même titre que toute femme québécoise canadienne », affirme Viviane Michel, présidente de Femmes Autochtones du Québec.
À propos du Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL
Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL est composé de toutes les femmes dûment élues à des postes de chefs ou conseillères de chacune des communautés des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL vise une perspective équitable des relations hommes-femmes au sein de la Table de chefs de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador, des communautés des Premières Nations au Québec, ainsi qu’au sein de toutes les entités traitant avec les Premières Nations qui reconnaissent, respectent, et soutiennent le rôle des femmes dans des positions de leadership.
À propos de Femmes Autochtones du Québec
Femmes Autochtones au Québec est un organisme qui représente les femmes autochtones en communauté et en milieu urbain. http://www.faq-qnw.org/
Wendake, October 14, 2020 – The AFNQL Council of Elected Women and Quebec Native Women (QNW) recently submitted a brief to share their observations regarding the policy on police checks in the SPVM.
The current news is a stark reminder of to what extent being Indigenous is to be confronted with the systemic racism that exists in public services. First Nations women are all too familiar with these kinds of situations in health care, in legal services, in the prison environment, in short, in all spheres of society.
Public security is no exception. Indigenous people are between four and five times more at risk than non-racialized people in terms of the average probability of being stopped by the SPVM. Arrests have increased almost seven times among Indigenous people since 2014, and Indigenous women are a particularly targeted group.
The AFNQL Council of Elected Women and Quebec Native Women unite their voices to ask the Commission de la sécurité publique to seriously consider the two briefs submitted by their respective organizations in order to ensure that this policy will respond to the specific needs of women.
All abusive treatment of Indigenous women and delivery of services guided by racism, prejudice and stereotyping of Indigenous women in particular must stop.
Unfortunately, the treatment of our sister Joyce Echaquan was neither an isolated case nor unique to the health services. This leads us, the AFNQL Council of Elected Women and Quebec Native Women, to remind all public institutions of their responsibility for the provision of equitable services free from systemic racism. “Our women are human beings and they have rights like all Quebecers. First Nations women also have the right to security, protection and the right to justice. Their most fundamental right is above all to be respected,” said Adrienne Jérôme, co-spokesperson for the AFNQL Council of Elected Women.
“Our women must be guaranteed respect for their universal human rights, in particular to life, security and protection, without discrimination and on the same basis as every other woman in Quebec and Canada,” said Viviane Michel, President of Quebec Native Women.
About the AFNQL Council of Elected Women
The AFNQL Elected Women’s Council shall consist of all duly elected women Chiefs or councillors from each of the First Nations communities in Quebec and Labrador. Through the establishment of an AFNQL Elected Women’s Council, this affirms the importance of building and strengthening partnership between elected men and women of the AFNQL, in all levels of decision-making within the AFNQL, as an integral step in ensuring an equitable society.
About Quebec Native Women Quebec Native Women represents members in 56 communities, 9 nations throughout Quebec and urban areas. https://www.faq-qnw.org
Wendake, le 8 octobre 2020 – Alors que tous les regards sont portés, avec raison, sur le contexte déplorable entourant le décès tragique de Joyce Echaquan, une autre illustration de racisme systémique touche actuellement la Nation Anicinape. Cette fois-ci, il s’agit de négation des droits territoriaux des Premières Nations, une autre forme de discrimination institutionnelle dont sont victimes les peuples autochtones, dénonce l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (APNQL).
Rappelons que la Nation Anicinape réclame un moratoire complet sur la chasse à l’orignal sur son territoire ancestral non cédé. Devant le refus du gouvernement du Québec d’autoriser ce moratoire, des barrages ont été érigés dans la réserve faunique La Vérendrye pour empêcher les chasseurs de passer. Or, la Cour supérieure du Québec a accordé hier une injonction provisoire à la zec Petawaga dans une partie de la réserve faunique.
« L’injonction accordée hier sur le territoire traditionnel non cédé de la Nation Anicinape risque d’être un autre réveil brutal pour le gouvernement du Québec », a déclaré le chef de l’APNQL, Ghislain Picard, rappelant que la Nation Anicinape détient des droits ancestraux, dont un titre ancestral non éteint, sur tout le territoire du Parc.
La mobilisation citoyenne et politique à la suite de la mort tragique de Joyce Echaquan, le 28 septembre dernier, constituait aux yeux du grand chef de la Nation Atikamekw, Constant Awashish, un « wake-up call » pour la population québécoise, mais surtout pour le gouvernement de François Legault. « Malgré les prétentions du gouvernement du Québec, qui juge agir à la satisfaction des chefs des Premières Nations, celui-ci devra reconnaître qu’il en faudra davantage pour que la confiance soit au rendez-vous pour la mise en place d’une véritable relation politique, la grande majorité des chefs jugeant que l’heure des compromis tire à sa fin », affirme le chef Picard.
Les leçons de la crise « ferroviaire »
Ce qui se déroule présentement n’est pas sans rappeler la récente crise dite « ferroviaire » concernant la Nation Wetʼsuwetʼen. À l’instar de celle-ci, la Nation Anicinape, tout comme une majorité de Premières Nations au Québec, possède des droits ancestraux sur des territoires traditionnels non cédés.
« Dans la foulée de la crise ferroviaire, où les Premières Nations du pays ont été appelées une fois de plus à se mobiliser, en appui cette fois-ci à la Nation Wetʼsuwetʼen, la naïveté sans doute, sinon l’ignorance, a fait dire au premier ministre Legault que le problème était unique à la Colombie-Britannique et qu’il ne pouvait pas arriver au Québec. Il a tort et j’espère qu’on a appris des leçons de ce qui s’est passé l’hiver dernier », note le chef Picard.
La chasse à l’orignal est au cœur de la culture et de l’identité de la Nation Anicinape et de l’ensemble des Premières Nations au Québec. La protection de l’orignal constitue en soi un devoir collectif pour assurer la vitalité et la pérennité de la culture et des traditions. Le laxisme gouvernemental dans ce dossier a des répercussions directes sur les droits des Anicinapek, lesquels sont inscrits dans la Constitution canadienne et protégés par le droit canadien et international.
La Déclaration de l’ONU
Rappelons qu’il y a un an, jour pour jour, l’Assemblée nationale a adopté à l’unanimité une motion soumise par Québec Solidaire enjoignant le gouvernement du Québec à s’asseoir avec les dirigeants des Premières Nations pour négocier les termes d’une mise en œuvre de la Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones. Or, si on se fie aux déclarations récentes du premier ministre Legault et de sa ministre aux Affaires autochtones, il semble que le gouvernement du Québec ne compte pas y donner suite.
Après les tristes événements de l’hôpital de Joliette, l’APNQL exige maintenant que le gouvernement agisse immédiatement dans le dossier de la protection des droits territoriaux des Anicinapek. Autrement, face aux chefs qui tentent d’engager le gouvernement québécois dans un dialogue politique fondé sur la bonne foi, le Québec donnera un autre exemple du racisme systémique dont les Premières Nations font les frais depuis trop longtemps.
« La colère dans nos cœurs est encore très vive à la suite de la mort tragique de Joyce Echaquan. Je suis convaincu de ne pas être le seul. La colère dans les pleurs de ses enfants était facilement perceptible lors de ses funérailles. Le premier ministre Legault a l’occasion aujourd’hui de donner suite concrètement à ses promesses d’agir contre le racisme envers nos peuples. Le test de la sincérité, c’est maintenant », affirme Ghislain Picard.
En conclusion, alors que le gouvernement du Québec est principalement visé par cette question, l’APNQL exhorte le gouvernement fédéral d’assumer également ses responsabilités. Il est de son devoir d’intervenir maintenant.
À propos de l’APNQL
L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme régional politique qui regroupe les 43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter @A
Wendake, October 8, 2020 – While all eyes are rightly focused on the deplorable context surrounding the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan, another demonstration of systemic racism is currently affecting the Anicinape Nation. This time, it is the denial of First Nations’ territorial rights, another form of institutional discrimination against Indigenous peoples, denounces the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL).
The Anicinape Nation is calling for a complete moratorium on moose hunting on its unceded ancestral territory. Faced with the Quebec government’s refusal to authorize this moratorium, roadblocks have been erected in the La Vérendrye wildlife reserve to prevent hunters from passing through. Yesterday, the Quebec Superior Court granted a provisional injunction to the Petawaga zec, part of the La Vérendrye wildlife reserve.
“The injunction granted yesterday on the unceded traditional territory of the Anicinape Nation runs the risk of being another rude awakening for the Quebec government”, declared the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard, reminding that the Anicinape Nation holds ancestral rights, including an unextinguished ancestral title, on the entire territory of the wildlife reserve.
The citizen and political mobilization following the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan on September 28th was, in the eyes of the Grand Chief of the Atikamekw Nation, Constant Awashish, a “wake-up call” for the people of Quebec, but especially for the government of François Legault. “In spite of the claims of the Quebec government, which believes that it is acting to the satisfaction of the First Nations Chiefs, it must be recognized that it will take more to build trust for the establishment of a true political relationship, since the vast majority of Chiefs believe that the time for compromise is coming to an end,” said Chief Picard.
Lessons from the “railway” crisis
What is happening right now is reminiscent of the recent so-called “railway” crisis affecting the Wetʼsuwetʼen Nation. The Anicinape Nation, like a majority of First Nations in Quebec, holds ancestral rights over unceded traditional territories.
“In the aftermath of the railway crisis, where the First Nations of the country were called upon, once again, to mobilize in support of the Wetʼsuwetʼen Nation, naivety, if not ignorance, made Premier Legault say that the problem was unique to British Columbia, that it could not happen in Quebec. He is wrong and I hope we have learned some lessons from what happened last winter.” notes Chief Picard.
Moose hunting is at the heart of the culture and identity of the Anicinape Nation and all First Nations in Quebec. The protection of moose is a collective duty to ensure the vitality and sustainability of culture and traditions. Government leniency in this file has direct impacts on the rights of the Anicinapek, which are enshrined in the Canadian Constitution and protected by Canadian and international law.
The UN Declaration
One year ago today (October 8, 2019), the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion submitted by Québec Solidaire urging the Government of Quebec to sit down with First Nations leaders to negotiate the terms of implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. According to recent statements by both Premier Legault and the Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, it appears that the Quebec government does not intend to follow up on this motion.
After the sad events at the Joliette hospital, the AFNQL demands that the government act immediately to protect the territorial rights of the Anicinapek people. Otherwise, for Chiefs who are trying to engage the Quebec government in a political dialogue based on good faith, Quebec will give another example of the systemic racism that First Nations have been paying the price for too long.
“The anger in our hearts is still very much alive following the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan. I am convinced that I am not alone. The anger in the tears of Joyce’s children was easily perceptible at her funeral. Premier Legault has an opportunity today to take concrete action on his promises to act against racism towards our people. The test of sincerity is now,” stated Ghislain Picard.
In conclusion, while the Quebec government is primarily targeted by this issue, the AFNQL urges the federal government to assume its responsibilities as well. It is its duty to intervene now.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the regional political organization that brings together the 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL
Washington, D.C.– Senator Cortez Masto published an oped in the Nevada Appeal discussing her draft legislation which proposed a Fallon Naval Station expansion in exchange for delivering benefits to a variety of stakeholders, many of which are unrelated to the Naval Air Station. The Senator’s discussion characterizes the bill as prioritizing the interests of tribes in Nevada.
This characterization is surprising to the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, which has been battling the expansion since 2016 and has yet to see the full proposal from the Senator. In response, the Tribe released a statement:
“We have long opposed expansion, because it would allow bombing on our ancestral lands and deprive the Tribe of access to areas that are essential to our culture and way of life. The Navy has already destroyed our origin site at Fox Peak with its target practice, and bombed our most important medicine rock, which is now located in the Bravo-20 range. The expansion proposal deepens these wounds and threatens similar harms over hundreds of thousands of acres.
The Tribe understands that the Navy has exerted great political pressure and that Senator Cortez Masto has attempted to create what in her view is an acceptable compromise. However, we have the most to lose from expansion and remain deeply concerned that any benefits of the proposal come at the Tribe’s expense. This is fundamentally unjust.
The Navy has not consulted with us in good faith. And we have yet to see the full legislative proposal. We have lived and prayed on these lands for more than 10,000 years. We take the prospect of damage to these cultural resources very personally and seriously. Given what is at stake, we should have been allowed to see any legislative proposal sooner and more fully. When we do see the full proposal, we will carefully evaluate the proposal and consider any good faith effort to strengthen it and better protect the Tribe’s interests. These considerations take time, and we support a compromise of renewal of the existing base and discussions of any expansion in a future NDAA rather than an attempt to resolve complex and important issues at the last minute. “
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 • St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – The Innu Nation of Labrador announced today that it has filed a $4 billion claim against Hydro-Québec in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador as compensation for the illegal taking of their land in Labrador in 1969 to build the Churchill Falls hydro-electric project. This project was built on land that forms part of the land claim of the Innu Nation that is being negotiated with Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.
“Over 50 years ago, Hydro-Québec and the provincial utility in Newfoundland and Labrador now called Nalcor Energy, through the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation, stole our land and flooded it in order to take advantage of the enormous hydro potential of the Churchill Falls,” stated Grand Chief Etienne Rich. “This project was undertaken without consulting us and without our consent.”
“For decades,” continued the Grand Chief, “we have tried to meet with Hydro-Québec officials to get them to take responsibility and compensate us for this injustice. Despite its stated commitment to working in partnership with indigenous communities and nations, Hydro-Québec has repeatedly refused to address our issues. Many of our elders have passed on without seeing justice done. We were left with no other alternative than to seek justice through the courts.”
For thousand of years, the Labrador Innu lived, hunted, trapped, and were buried on this land. An area larger than Prince Edward Island was flooded to create the Smallwood Reservoir. Other Innu lands were taken for transmission corridors and access roads. As a result, many areas of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance were submerged or affected, Innu gravesites were destroyed, and many Innu hunters lost equipment when their seasonal campsites were flooded. The flooding and the ruined shorelines caused irreparable damage to the ecosystem, traditions, and livelihood of the Innu people.
Hydro-Québec played an essential role in the construction of Churchill Falls. Without Hydro-Québec, this project would never have been built.
Until 2011, the Innu had never been compensated for these damages. In 2011, with the signing of the Upper Churchill Redress Agreement, Nalcor Energy agreed to provide some compensation for the damages caused by the Churchill Falls project.
“While Hydro-Québec has made tens of billions of dollars from taking the power from Churchill Falls and selling it to the US, it has repeatedly refused to engage in dialogue and to address this travesty,” asserted Deputy Grand Chief MaryAnn Nui.
The Innu claim flies in the face of Hydro-Québec’s positioning as a socially and environmentally responsible crown corporation. For example, Hydro-Québec suggests that it strives “to develop sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships with indigenous communities and nations, based on respect for values and cultures. Communities work with us from the initial stages of a project and, together, we make sure that the facilities remain socially acceptable throughout their service lives.”1
The Innu know that the flooded reservoir lands will never be restored. They cannot get the land back. As a result, they are asking for a fair share of the tremendous profits being made by Hydro-Québec from the destruction of their lands.
“What has been lost is priceless,” explained Nancy Kleer of Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP which represents the Innu Nation. “In this case, there is no going back to fix what was lost. The only measure of justice left that the courts can give is a share of Hydro-Québec’s profits. Some have estimated that Hydro-Québec has already made up to $80 billion from Churchill Falls – and stands to make up to $150 billion by the end of the power purchase contract in 2041. In this claim, the Innu are asking for a fair share of Hydro-Québec’s profits, which will be at least 4 billion dollars based on estimates.”
“We are asking the courts to afford us justice for the damages done by Hydro-Québec to our land, our culture and our traditions, and we remain open to negotiations with them,” concludes Grand Chief Etienne Rich. “Hydro-Québec’s bill is fifty years past due. The time has come for them to take responsibility for their actions.”
(Ottawa, ON) – Today, the Assembly of First Nations released the Indian Residential School (IRS) Resolution Health Support Program Continuation Report. The report calls for the renewal of the IRS Resolution Health Support Program, due to expire on March 31, 2021, that helps thousands of Survivors and their families on their healing journeys.
“I stand with Survivors, their families, support workers and community organizations to advocate for the continuation of the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, a program that helps so many with healing,” says National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “After everything Survivors have endured, it’s important that Canada recognizes that this program is essential for their mental wellbeing.”
The report was released today to coincide with Orange Shirt Day, a day when Canadians reflect on the experiences of Residential School Survivors. The report, made with the voices of Survivors who have benefited from the program, presents evidence showing the significance of the program, and the need for it to stay.
In the first seven years of the program’s existence, almost 900,000 Survivors and families reached out for cultural and emotional support. Additionally, more than 65,000 Survivors and families participated in almost 500,000 counselling sessions across Canada.
October 6, 2020 – Since launching a cancer transportation pilot program this summer, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) Ministry of Health has heard from many residents requiring the same support for family members undergoing kidney dialysis in the province.
With the lack of public transportation service in Saskatchewan, MN-S recognizes financial barriers associated with individual travel to treatment can cause undue stress for kidney patients and their families.
To address this need MN-S is introducing a dialysis transportation pilot program. Under the pilot, eligible Métis patients will be reimbursed for fuel and parking costs associated with travel to and from the patient’s community for dialysis appointments.
Health Minister Marg Friesen said, “Many Métis citizens are pre-disposed to renal disease and are forced to travel greater distances for treatment. The added hardship of the costs associated with travel is what we hope to help alleviate.”
The program is open to all registered citizens of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and their immediate family members. To learn more about becoming an MN-S citizen, go to https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/. To sign up for this pilot program or more more information contact Project Coordinator Tanya Pruden, at 306-291-4758 email tpruden@mns.work or go online to https://metisnationsk.com/dialysis-transportation/.
