QNW reacts to Minister Gaétan Barrette’s remarks

Kahnawake, June 29th 2018 – Québec Native Women joins the numerous people and organisations who have been demanding the resignation of Minister Gaétan Barrette, following the discriminatory remarks he made a few weeks ago. In doing so, QNW supports the AFNQL, MP Romeo Saganash, Kuujjuaq mayor Tunu Napartuk and Charlie Watt, President of Makivik, who have all expressed their profound disappointment due to the racism in Minister Barrette’s remarks.

As an organization that has been fighting for nearly 45 years to promote the equality of rights for Indigenous women, QNW has consistently denounced racism and worked to dismantle the prejudice that First Nations members face. The remarks made by Minister Barrette were filled with stereotypes, and show that discriminatory views are omnipresent within our government.

“It is essential for our ministers to be more sensitized to the reality of First Nations, but also be more aware of the institutionalized racism they can reproduce, and that they are responsible for dismantling. It’s unacceptable for someone in a position of power, who is supposed to represent us, to promote such prejudice,” states Viviane Michel, President of Québec Native Women.

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