The representative of the Lac-Simon Anishinaabe First Nation community is disappointed with the government of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ).
Adrienne Jérôme, head of the council of the nation, gave a negative assessment of her relations with the minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, where her community is located. “We never had good relations with Minister Dufour,” she said.
Mme Jérôme was questioned about his relations with the government on the sidelines of the electoral tour of the Liberal leader Dominique Anglade, who went Friday to Lac-Simon, not far from Val-d’Or.
The community representative affirmed that Mr. Dufour never responded to their requests in the caribou file. “We can see that it’s not him who makes the decisions, he has no knowledge, it’s the specialists who speak for him,” she said.
The community regrets that the closure of forest roads that compromise the habitat of the Val-d’Or caribou herd has not yet been decided.
“I am very disappointed with the CAQ,” said M.me Jérôme, who claims to have had better relations with the Liberals.
The issue of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
At his side, Councilor Lucien Wabanonik said that the Aboriginals of the community have little interest in the Quebec elections, where their participation rate is very low.
According to him, the issue of Quebec’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which provides a framework for harmonious relations, could arouse their interest. “There may be an impact with Mme England, he said. I don’t know what his election promises are. »
Their two representatives then met with Mr.me England. Mr. Wabanonik then submitted to the Liberal leader his proposal regarding the declaration adopted by the federal government, but not by Quebec.
During a stop in Val-d’Or afterwards, Mr.me Anglade left a blur on its intentions: it limited itself to recognizing the principles of the declaration, without however committing to implement it. “We agree with the main principles, but in the applicability, it is sure that we will have to have nation-to-nation conversations,” she said in a press briefing.
The Liberal leader was unable to specify the horizon in which this issue could be addressed if she takes power. First, she says she wants to initiate discussions to recognize Joyce’s Principle, which aims to ensure the rights of Aboriginal people in the area of health care and social services.
“We are ready to start discussions on the Joyce Principle, which we must recognize, on dialogue, on the issues they have and, as we go along, we will work on it,” she said. said while pleading for the restoration of a bond of trust.