Kahnawake leaders meet with Quebec premier on Indigenous language promotion
After a nearly three-month political silence, elected representatives from the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community of Kahnawake were in Quebec City on Tuesday to meet with the province's premier and his minister.
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer said at the end of May that the council was suspending political contact with Francois Legault's CAQ government over Bill 96 until he met with them and found a "substantive solution" regarding the bill's overhaul of the French language charter.
On Tuesday, Sky-Deer, along with Council Assistant Grand Chief Tonya Perron, met with Legault and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafreniere to talk language, culture and a new political framework between the two governments.
"We talked about sharing of this land and the acknowledgment of the Indigenous people who were here first, and we have to find a way to coexist peacefully, respectfully, and our issues are equally important," said Sky-Deer. "Let's have some conversation and dialogue about the things that are impacting us."
It is the first time since being elected that the premier has met an MCK Grand Chief, having never met with Sky-Deer or former MCK Grand Chief, the late Joe Norton.
"It's the beginning of a new relationship," said Lafreniere. "We established ground rules of how we're going to work together and three important priorities."
Lafreniere said Quebec will work with Kahnawake on building its new cultural centre, which has been in various stages of planning for half a decade, in addition to providing assistance with language and culture protection and promotion. As well, groundwork is being developed for how the two governments will work together.
Sky-Deer was positive about Legault's words and will now wait for action to back up those words.
"Actions speak louder than words. Moving forward, I will be able to decide the merits of today's meeting based on the actions that follow," she said.
Protests were held in the community against Bill 96, and Sky-Deer met with Quebec ministers earlier in May, hoping to confirm that Indigenous communities would be exempt from the law.
She was intent to meet Legault before Oct. 3.
"The timing of it was really important - that it happen now before the election - and the meeting did go well," said Sky-Deer. "Where we go forward was very important, and we made some commitments about how we're going to engage together."
Sky-Deer said it was important to inform Legault about Kahnawake's language - Kanienʼkéha (Mohawk) - and what was being done to ensure its continued revitalization. Talk of a new piece of legislation with Indigenous languages at its core is on now on the table, with consultations planned in the near future.
"We feel, ultimately, that it is our responsibility to promote and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures, but the government can be a resource and an ally to help us," said Sky-Deer.
"I'm extremely happy with this meeting," said Lafreniere. "This is important for both of us - the grand chief and myself... Let's start on that new relationship."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
India's mammoth election is more than halfway done as millions begin voting in fourth round
Millions of Indians across 96 constituencies began casting their ballots on Monday as the country's gigantic, six-week-long election edges past its halfway mark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term with an eye on winning a supermajority in Parliament.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.