Quebec premier and Mohawk grand chief sign declaration of mutual respect

The Premier of Quebec, right, and the Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Cody Diabo, shake hands after signing a joint declaration at a ceremony in Montreal on Friday Dec. 20, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

Quebec and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake signed what is being described as a "joint declaration of understanding and mutual respect" on Friday.

Sitting side by side in a Montreal hotel, Premier François Legault and Grand Chief Cody Diabo made no secret of their satisfaction with signing the document. Though symbolic, it seems to serve as a balm for the often strained relationship between Quebec and the Mohawks of Kahnawake.

"For me, this is an important declaration, a new beginning, if you like, of good relations, of a special relationship between the Quebec government and the Mohawks of Kahnawake. It shows that we have a bond of trust," said the premier.

"I am convinced that the declaration we are signing today will have positive outcomes for both Quebec and the Mohawks of Kahnawake," he continued.

Avoiding contentious language

Grand Chief Diabo, for his part, was very pleased with the agreement's text, which, unlike many others in the past, lived up to the respect expected by his community.

"The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has long called for a simplified, clear and mutually respectful agreement that avoids the language and references that have historically caused disputes, knowing that at times our efforts have been hampered by processes and language that did not fully recognise our distinct perspectives and did not reflect the balance and equality we seek."

Chief Diabo recalled that the relationship had hit many obstacles over the years.

"I won't lie. It hasn't been easy in the past trying to have these meetings and trying to find solutions to move forward. I hope that (this agreement) is more than just a symbolic gesture, and I sincerely believe that it is more than that, that there is a real commitment because we are at the point now where we have seen where the lack of communication is leading us. We don't want to be at this point any more than Quebec does."

More agreements

Ian Lafrenière, Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, recalled that his government signed the same kind of agreement with the Inuit a year ago.

"What we want are agreements with all communities, all nations."

However, he warned that these agreements are not a panacea.

"It's not because we are signing this agreement today that we're going to agree on every point or that we are always going to have the same point of view. We respect each other, sometimes with a different point of view. We may have differences, we may have different opinions, but that doesn't stop us from working together."

Unfinished business

Stakeholders pointed out numerous unresolved issues between the Quebec government and the Mohawks of Kahnawake.

For instance, Quebec has yet to fully compensate the Indigenous community for the approximately 813 acres of land taken from them for the construction of Highway 30.

More than 200 acres still need to be located, a challenging task in a developed area.

Issues surrounding Route 132 and the Mercier Bridge, both of which cross Mohawk territory, as well as the development of Northvolt on land they claim, also remain contentious.

Nonetheless, Premier Legault expressed his optimism. "I am convinced that the declaration we are signing today will help us find solutions," he said. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 20, 2024.