First Nations want their share of the G7

Photo Daniel Mallard
The grand chief of the huron-wendat Konrad Sioui took part, on January 28, at the youth Pavilion, an evening of spiritual contemplation in memory of the victims of the slaughter of the great mosque of Quebec.

Pierre-Paul Biron

Wednesday, 14 February, 2018 00:00

UPDATE
Wednesday, 14 February, 2018 00:00

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The native nations want to place concrete in the agenda of the G7 summit in Charlevoix. “The little indian of service, it no longer works,” says the grand chief of the huron-wendat Konrad Sioui, who wishes to ” ensure a legacy for the communities “.

The chief of Wendake calls on the government to go beyond the prejudice and make a place for aboriginal nations in the summit to be held in June in La Malbaie.

“We don’t want to just be there for a ceremony that opens the meeting, and another which closes it. [..] Is what you want to hear just songs and prayers, or you want to see who really are the First Nations, ” says Konrad Sioui, decided to convince the government of the seriousness of the approach.

This output of the responsible aboriginal is made in the margin of the two days of meetings between First Nations and the associate deputy minister of the organization of the G7, Peter Boehm. Satisfied by the openness demonstrated by the government, Konrad Sioui ensures that it will be attentive to the progress of the case.

“We can’t only be passive, to wait and hope for the best. The legacy, we are going to go look for it ourselves, the work, it is ready to do it, “says the grand chief of the huron-wendat, who proposes the” creation of jobs, training programs or new opportunities ” for Aboriginal canadians.

The Appeal has been heard

Peter Boehm confirms that the First Nations call has been heard by the government and that the question of the impact of the after-G7 will be investigated.

This is the beginning of a conversation that will continue after the summit, too. One wishes that there are benefits, including economic benefits for aboriginal businesses “, explains the “sherpa” appointed by Justin Trudeau to organize the international summit.

Security in development

In Quebec city, the deputy minister has also clarified that the work of organization of the summit went smoothly. In terms of safety, the first threats of a group of anti-capitalist to Quebec last week have not surprised Peter Boehm.

“There will always be violent groups that are against everything “, reminds the deputy minister, who has been able to discuss the matter with the mayor Régis Labeaume recently.

If he said he was concerned that the bill ” is shifted back to Quebec “, it is impossible to obtain clarification on this aspect with the government. “We have not discussed budget issues with the mayor Labeaume. We discussed security “, is simply to meet Peter Boehm.