Québec Native Women reacts to the support to Bill C-262

Kahnawake, November 22nd 2017 – It is with great enthusiasm that Québec Native Women recognizes the support from the Minister of Justice, Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, for Bill C-262, which aims to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This bill supports the struggles that First Nations communities and all Indigenous peoples in Canada have undertaken in the last decades for the recognition of their rights throughout the country. QNW also wishes to acknowledge the courage of MP Romeo Saganash, who has worked tirelessly to ensure the recognition of this declaration by the federal government.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is an international tool which responds to principles and values of indigenous peoples, in addition to defending their individual and collective rights.

Québec Native Women has been campaigning for several years in favour of the adoption of this declaration, particularly article 22, which aims to defend and protect the rights of indigenous women. QNW exhorts the government of Canada to adopt the declaration and to truly commit to the process of reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. “This announcement by Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is excellent news, but it must take shape concretely through the government’s actions, starting with the formal adoption of the declaration,” reminds Viviane Michel, president of Québec Native Women.

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Source : Julia Couture-Glassco, Communications Officer
communication@faq-qnw.org | 450-632-0088, ext. 232