MCK Lends Their Voices: Opposing Bill 96
Written by Jeremy Zafran on 26 May 2023
A large portion of the Elected Mohawk Council of Kahnawake are in Montreal today to lend their voices in opposition to the Quebec Government’s attempts to propose a bill that protects Indigenous Languages. Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer:
“The message that we’re conveying here, as a matter of fact we’re not participating fully in his session, we’re having our own that is in-line with AFNQL and other Chiefs in the region who have a similar opinion that we don’t want Quebec moving forward, in these sessions that were happening. We felt it important to come here and thell the Quebec Minister that we’re not in support and hopefully that is the position that is carries, because that is the position that I’ve heard from the AFNQL Chiefs in Assembly, that it’s our law, our voice our responsibility to protect Indigenous languages, not the Quebec Government.”
They are attending a conference on indigenous languages and revitalization at Bonaventure hotel. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke maintains its position that all barriers, including the application of the French Charter, be removed. Since its introduction in 1977, Quebec’s French Charter has resulted in the imposition of several challenges to Indigenous communities. With Bill 96, Amendments to the French Language Charter, these barriers are only further increased.
