The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) congratulates François Legault

Chief Ghislain Picard expects a new political relationship between Quebec and First Nations

WENDAKE, QC, Oct. 1, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard, congratulates François Legault and the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) for their electoral win. He also congratulates the leaders of the other political parties and reaches out to them to establish a new relationship in the spirit of true reconciliation between our peoples.

"I want to congratulate the new premier, Mr. François Legault. Above all, I want to express the openness of the First Nations to work with his government to revive the political relationship that unites us," said Chief Picard.

UN declaration and summit in the first 100 days

The Chief of the AFNQL wishes to remind the new premier of his commitment to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. "We take François Legault to his word from what he wrote to me, in a letter sent during the election campaign, that a CAQ government will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is an issue much too important for this commitment to remain only a simple election promise," says Ghislain Picard.

Chief Picard also reiterated the AFNQL's intention to call upon the new government, within 100 days of its formation, to a formal meeting with all First Nations Chiefs.

"We were clear during the election campaign that the new government will have to thoroughly review its political relationship with us.  At the heart of this new relationship is the recognition of our rights and the respect of our governments and our ancestral territories. If there is a real political will with the new government, we are ready to collaborate," concluded Chief Ghislain Picard.

About the l'AFNQL

The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization that brings together 43 First Nations Chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Alain Garon, Communications Consultant, [email protected], Cell. : 418-254-4620