The new CAQ minister has a very crowded work horizon. Among the lines of flight that link it to it, there is one that I would like to call to its attention. In April 2015, when he was a candidate for the position of leader of the Parti Québécois, Bernard Drainville made very inspiring proposals regarding the recognition of First Nations in this same section of the To have to. For the record: “That twice a year, a representative designated by the Aboriginal nations solemnly address the Members of the National Assembly of Québec, in the Blue Room. The first time when Parliament resumes in the fall, and the other, at the conclusion of our work in June. Each of his addresses will be the starting point for a day devoted entirely to Aboriginal affairs. »
We want to say: but what a good idea and why not put it into practice from November 29th! It should be remembered that since that date, many events have marked the spirits in the relations between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. Voluminous reports have also been accumulated, joining that of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (chaired by Georges Erasmus and René Dussault), published 26 years ago. This commission made recommendations like the others that followed it.
Very recently, Premier Legault declared in the preface to the government action plan for the social and cultural well-being of the First Nations and Inuit 2022-2027: “The development of Quebec requires the active participation of everyone in achievement of common goals. To realize this vision, we must ensure that the First Nations and Inuit communities of Quebec, which have proven their resilience on numerous occasions, have the means to flourish economically, socially and culturally. The contribution of these nations to Quebec society is unique and must be promoted and encouraged. »
Among this desired “fulfilment”, there is no doubt that education has a central role, the importance of which Bernard Drainville will have measured, he who declared (still in 2015) “… that particular attention should also be paid to learning and to the survival of indigenous languages”. It goes without saying that this objective could also be shared with Ian Lafrenière, whose mandate as Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit has been renewed.
Especially since the current Minister of Education also called for the creation of “a Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in good and due form, with a minister in office having the means to defend aboriginal issues vigorously with his colleagues of the firm. To this end, he added, he will chair an interdepartmental committee responsible for advancing issues within the government and the Quebec state.
A whole program that should encourage official bodies to relaunch initiatives that promote a better understanding of the realities of the first peoples on the part of pupils and students who follow their apprenticeship and training within the education system. It is to be hoped that the former candidate for the leadership of the PQ, now entrusted with the mission of ensuring the education of Quebecers, has not forgotten such precious intentions. Let’s see if, at the end of the month, a speech will come to us from the Salon Bleu carrying this “solemn”, if not sovereign, will!