(Quebec) The Mohawks condemn the Legault government in the controversy over the “unceded territory” of Montreal.
They reacted, Thursday, to the exit of Minister Ian Lafrenière, according to which the Canadian hockey club “is mistaken” by affirming now that Montreal is an unceded native territory.
“The dogmatic comment that challenges and discredits our presence is not only insulting, but is perceived as a misplaced attack targeting our very existence,” argues the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, targeting the Legault government.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Minister responsible for Native Affairs Ian Lafrenière
In a statement in English, the Aboriginal government salutes the Canadian’s gesture, but says it is disgusted by Quebec’s attempt to politicize a “genuine gesture of reconciliation” from a sports organization.
The comments of the government of Quebec are an attempt to “undermine the presence” of the Mohawks in the “traditional territory” of the region of Montreal, denounces the Mohawk Council.
“The territory is an essential part of who we are,” he argues.
The Aboriginal community is demanding an end to these “schoolyard” brawl tactics.
Remember that the Canadian now announces before the start of the matches that his organization recognizes the Mohawk Nation for its hospitality on its traditional and unceded territory.
“It is important to recognize that the First Nations were there before us and that we live together, but here, we embark on a debate of historians who do not get along, so it may have been a mistake” , said the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Ian Lafrenière, Wednesday.
Particularly in Montreal, we don’t agree on who was there first, he continued, “and that’s where it gets complicated”.
The official liberal opposition welcomed the decision of the Canadian, while the Parti Québécois (PQ) was positioned against it.
Chief Paul St-Pierre Plamondon had said that this debate should be left to historians, but added that the truth nevertheless had its rights: “If it is historically wrong to assert that it is a territory unceded mohawk, sorry, but the truth is important. Rigor, facts count. ”