MP Carole Freeman initiates a process to bring together the Kahnawake Mohawk
community and the residents of her riding

CHÂTEAUGUAY, QC, July 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Bloc Québécois MP for Châteauguay-Saint-Constant, Carole Freeman, set in motion an initiative to bring the residents of her riding and the Kahnawake Mohawk community together. Twenty years ago, on July 11, 1990, a highly publicized conflict took place that has had a lasting impact on the relationship between Quebecois and Canadians people and Aboriginals. For the residents of Montreal's South Shore, the memory of the crisis is still fresh. "I am hoping to help heal these wounds properly and to engage in a collective dialogue," said Freeman. "It is my duty as an elected Member of Parliament to encourage an understanding between the communities living in my riding. It's time to shift our focus to what we have in common."

Freeman is taking the first step in a process that lays out other activities aimed at bringing everyone together, including meetings with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and other community organizations. She also hopes that this will give people a chance to learn little-known facts about the Mohawk community. "I recognize that we don't know our Mohawk neighbours very well," she said. "I hope that this will change from now on, and that knowing more about the Mohawk community will help change the rather negative view people have of the community."

Pow Wow invitation

The first action of Freeman's initiation process is to extend an invitation to the Quebec population to join her at a Pow Wow. MP Freeman has been officially invited to deliver a speech at the opening ceremonies of the 20th Kahnawake Pow Wow, next Saturday, July 10, 2010. "I invite all the residents of Châteauguay-Saint-Constant to come join us at the Pow Wow next Saturday, July 10," says Freeman. "You'll meet friendly and welcoming people and get a chance to discover spectacular traditional dance performances from various Aboriginal nations. People will be coming from all over to attend the event, one of the biggest expressions of Aboriginal culture in the Americas. For the residents of Châteauguay-Saint-Constant and greater Montreal, this is a unique opportunity to discover the richness of the Aboriginal culture and to go beyond prejudice by making bonds with the neighbours."

The Pow Wow takes place July 10 and 11 in Kahnawake, on Tekakwitha Island, near the intersection of Highways 138 and 132.

For further information: Guillaume Legendre, Political Assistant, 450-691-7044