MCA RESPONDS TO TALKS OF QUEBEC SEPARATION

TERRITORY OF AKWESASNE – The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is closely following Quebec’s upcoming provincial election and the direction in which provincial leaders are proposing to go if they get into power. The media has indicated a potential of a Quebec referendum to separate from Canada should the political power change in the province.

Akwesasne would have some very real concerns about any potential Quebec separation from Canada. Two thirds of Akwesasne’s territory is situated within the province of Quebec. Many of Akwesasne’s islands are also located in Quebec. With the potential threat of this region’s culture and language becoming distinctly French, we must concern ourselves with the reality that there is not even 1 percent of the Akwesasne population that speaks the French language. The everyday languages are still Mohawk and English. An additional concern we’d have is that much of our vast territory in Quebec would be subject to new, more stringent laws that are alien to our culture. Many areas of our organization and the services we provide would also be impacted by the formation of a new Quebec government.

“If Quebec ultimately chooses to separate, I would advise our Council and community to hold our own vote in order to determine whether we would stay within the borders of Quebec or separate ourselves,” said MCA Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell.

Quebec’s election will take place on Monday, April 7, 2014.