Montréal, September 12, 2013 – Following the Sept. 10, 2013 release of the Québec Charter of Values, IDLE NO MORE QUÉBEC finds it ironic that a Charter that pretends to defend universal values forces a single vision upon Québecers that has too often been forced upon First Nations people.

We would like to remind the government that it has an obligation to consult First Nations on all subjects that affect them, as is outlined under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, and reiterated by numerous decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada. Ignoring this responsibility has continued to advance colonial mentalities throughout the process of colonization.

It’s impossible to believe that the government of Pauline Marois has a genuine desire to unite people through a common societal project of values when its approach simply follows in the history of neo-colonialist assimilation that remains fresh in the hearts of First Nations people. In the past, our ceremonies, sweat lodges, potlatches, dances, songs, religious and spiritual symbols, cultural identities and languages were forbidden through the same kind of colonial policies that now threaten other religious practices.

The IDLE NO MORE movement grew from a desire to protect our territory and its waters, enforce our ancestral rights and demonstrate our spirituality through our ceremonies, dances and songs. While this Charter is intended to represent the best values of Québec society, it omits the welcoming spirit of respect and generosity that are a hallmark of First Nations peoples, from which the first settlers benefitted.

History is the best judge of the hypocrisy and futility of using a Charter of this kind as a means to unite diverse people. This Charter does not reflect the values of inclusion of Indigenous people and we encourage the government and the people of Québec to reject this Charter. Instead, we call for Québecers to engage in the only real solution that will create better relations amongst ourselves: to create dialogue that rejects racism and fear of the other.

IDLE NO MORE QUÉBEC will continue to proudly wear our religious symbols, demonstrate our spirituality and cultures. We encourage all Indigenous people to do so as well and reject this racist and colonialist intrusion in our traditional and ancestral rights.

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For information :

Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Widia Larivière

450-616-7163 / 438-275-9584

idlenomoreqc@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdleNoMoreQuebec

Twitter: @IdleNoMoreQc / #IdleNoMore