The recently acclaimed Regional Chief Chislain Picard said the First Nations of Quebec and Labradorare looking to redefine their relationship with the federal and Quebec governments. They also want toeducate the Canadian and Quebec public about the aspirations and hopes of the First Nations. This waspart of the political platform that Picard was acclaimed by.
“The problem is a political one. The things that are confronting us in Quebec are well known.The political options that are being considered like sovereignty and how that may affect FirstNations-that overshadows any type of relationship other than political,” said Picard. He said there is a need to go toward.
First Nations in Quebec say they have the right to chose whom they want to be associated with in the event of Québécois sovereignty. Picard stated the problems are obvious where you have different peoples looking at their own definitions and desires in respect to self-determination.
In other issues, there is no alternative but to do business with Quebec- education, health and social services. In the past few years, chiefs have been trying to get Quebec to deal with issues, but have found that sovereignty often is in the background of the negotiations.
Picard wants a framework where both First Nations and provincial governments acknowledge each otherin Quebec and Labrador. He says First Nations in Quebec and Labrador has to live with the sovereigntyissue. He warns that First Nations will not negotiate away the 1994 Lac Delage principles. Thedeclaration says that the First Nation’s rights and freedoms flow from their homelands and that the treaties gave access, but not ownership of the lands. It also rejects the territorial integrity of Quebec. It says in the declaration that First Nations are not attacking Québécois and do not intend to but that First Nations are the ones who will determine the future of the their children. That they have the right to chose whom they would be associated with. And that they would resist efforts by any government to deny Aboriginal rights or the rights of recognition or protections enjoyed by the First Nations Peoples
“There needs to be a clear understanding on our respective positions. Quebec always says they’ve adopted a resolution in 1983 recognizing Aboriginal peoples in Quebec are nations, but if there is no will on their side as to what guides us or what our principles are then it’s always going to be a situation where we come under them. That has always been unacceptable to us,” said Picard.
Picard sees hope though. He emphasized breakthroughs in such areas as policing agreements and health. There would have to be openness on both sides said Picard adding, “We have to explore and look at what can be achieved regionally.”
Chiefs are also looking at the way Quebec is moving forward with its own reforms like family policy, health, social security and others, in which First Nations could participate, too.
Picard said a lot of the changes in federal jurisdiction being passed onto the provinces are beingdone without consultation with native people.
