AFNQL urges Prime Minister Harper to meet with Chief Spence

WENDAKE, QC, Dec. 13, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The AFNQL would like to express its support to the Chief of Attawapiskat, Theresa Spence, who has undertaken, since December 11, 2012, a hunger strike in order to denounce the practices of the Harper government, which goes against the spirit of the treaties and the good faith that should guide our relationship with the Crown.

"That a First Nations leader has decided to take the ultimate measure of depriving herself of food in order to highlight the paternalistic and colonial attitude of the federal government is an aberration", declared Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. "Why is it that, less than one year after the Crown-First Nations meeting held in January 2012, the level of trust in the Harper government is lower than it has ever been?", continued the Chief of the AFNQL.

One year ago, the situation of the First Nations community of Attawapiskat evoked anger and indignation with respect to the state of emergency in terms of shortage of housing and access to safe drinking water. Instead of compassion when faced with the pressing needs of this community, the federal government opted in favour of gratuitous accusations regarding the management of the local council.

"Chief Spence is more than justified to demand that the Harper government act in a manner respecting the spirit and principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Despite Canada's support for the Declaration in November 2010, Canada has continued to breach it, namely by imposing its political and legislative agenda without any consultation with the First Nations", concluded Chief Picard.

Regarding the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organisation uniting the 43 Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (www.apnql-afnql.com).

SOURCE: ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS OF QUEBEC AND LABRADOR

Source: 
Mélanie Vincent
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