The official opposition welcomes the Canadiens’ decision to assert that Montreal is unceded Indigenous territory, but the Parti Québécois (PQ) is far from agreeing.
Many historians attest that this territory never belonged to the Mohawks, but according to the liberal leader, Dominique Anglade, it is the message which counts, even if there could be “facts to verify”.
The Montreal Canadiens are now announcing before the start of the games that the organization recognizes the Mohawk Nation for its hospitality on its traditional and unceded territory.
At a press conference at the National Assembly on Tuesday morning, Dominique Anglade welcomed the initiative of the Canadian, even if historical research is far from categorical on this issue.
“The veracity of all this is important, but the message is also important and must be conveyed. […] If there are facts that need to be verified, let them verify them. “
“Facts and truth matter,” replied the PQ leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, in total disagreement, shortly after at a press conference.
“I was amazed to hear Dominique Anglade, like what there is the truth, but there is also the message, as if the truth were optional. “
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also wonders why a sports team decides to speak out on a historical question.
The parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire (QS), Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, also said to leave the debate to historians. He does not want to “throw the stone” at the Canadian, even if he reminds us that it is a company which first thinks of making a profit when it positions itself.
“As long as the Quebec government does not clarify the issue of ancestral rights, controversies like this one will arise, where private companies will advance on issues that are super complex. “
Language controversy
QS also wanted to bury a controversy with the Huron-Wendat nation.
About ten days ago, Manon Massé and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois held a press conference in Wendake to demand the adoption of a law on indigenous languages in order to protect them.
The grand chief of the Huron-Wendat nation, Rémy Vincent, had said that it was “a serious disrespect for QS to make an announcement without notifying the nation. No consultation of Nations, while languages are our responsibilities! “
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois wanted to turn the page by blaming his colleague.
“As to the details exactly, which conversation with which individual, I will refer you to my colleague Manon. […] Manon had the opportunity, in the hours following the announcement, to apologize. “