The indigenous and nigesting communities celebrate this Saturday the national day of the indigenous peoples. In Quebec, as across the country, feelings are shared while federal and provincial legislation causes fears of the rights of First Nations.
More than a hundred people met at the Old Port of Montreal on Saturday noon, to celebrate the start of the summer together as well as local Aboriginal cultures.
The eldest Mohawk, Sedalia Fazio, opened the traditional ceremony with the lighting of the day in front of the Montreal science center. Mohawks dancers then wandered in the middle of the crowd and a tobacco ceremony took place.
“The real importance of this day is that the world begins to know that we are there, that we have always been there and that we will not go anywhere,” said Sedalia Fazio to the Canadian press. There is a change on the side of the natives and non-autochings, it goes well, but non-natives still have a lot to learn. »»
Photo Robert Skinner, Archives La Presse
The eldest Mohawk, Sedalia Fazio, in 2018
She deplores the fact that too many people still do not know the history and colonial policies of Canada.
“They don’t know history at all, but they always have something to say,” said Sedalia Fazio. It took the steps for “Idle No More” and at that time, there were many people against us, but today they come from it and are on our side, because they learn the real story. »»
The eldest Mohawak said it was optimistic about the young generation of Aboriginal people, but also in the face of a more educated allochtone youth.
“Aboriginal young people are happier to be indigenous than us when we were young,” added Sedalia Fazio. When I was young, I wanted to be blonde with blue eyes and put javex, because I was too dark, but today, young people are not like that, they are proud to be indigenous, to have black hair and darker skin than the others. »»
Legislation that worries
For the head of the First Nations Assembly of Quebec and Labrador (APNQL), Francis Verreault-Paul, this day is above all a celebration of Aboriginal cultures and an exchange between nations, but “we are more than ever rendered when we have to start the process of legislative reconciliation”.
“We feel the pressure, there is a global geopolitical context which puts pressure and this pressure is felt among the First Nations here,” the Canadian press Verreault-Paul told the Canadian press. First Nations have ancestral rights in this territory and, in order to advance together, these rights must be respected. »»
Photo Jacques Boissinot, Canadian Press Archives
The Chief First Nations Assembly of Quebec and Labrador, Francis Verreault-Paul
In the viewfinder of chief Verreault-Paul, Bill 97 of the Quebec government, which provides, among other things, to review the forest zoning.
“There is a consensus on dissatisfaction and a certain growl in front of the PL97 which affects the hearts of our nations, we must remain mobilized as First Nations to ensure that our rights are respected,” explains the Glass-Paul chief. People are free to be able to express their dissatisfaction, I just hope that it will not go in civil disobedience and that it is done in a pacifist manner and in respect. »»
According to him, it is important to remind government the importance of the forest for the First Nations which represents “the hearts of our nations”.
“The current bill must be completely reformed, because it jeopardizes the sustainability of forests, recognition of our rights, biodiversity, so we must find a balance,” added the chief of the APNQL.
Present at the Rally, the Quebec Minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière, assured that this “was not the right day” to speak of the dispute surrounding Bill 97.
“It’s a day of reflection, to celebrate languages and cultures,” said Ian Lafrenière. Indeed, what we put in place as legislation and what we do as government have an impact on First Nations. »»
Photo Josie Desmarais, Archives La Presse
The Quebec Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière
Bill C-5 adopted under gap by Ottawa also arises the fear of being invisible again in the consultation processes.
“In the past, the aspect of consultation and consent was really not there and there, we see a bill that will accelerate things,” explains Chef Verreault-Paul. There can be opportunities with this geopolitical aspect where we all change our shoulder rifle, but the fact remains that before, respect for indigenous peoples should not be dismissed as has been the case in the past. »»
According to an event organizer, several invitations were sent, in vain, to Ottawa to attend the ceremony.
