Quebec Native Women (QNW) President Marjolaine Étienne, accompanied by AFNQL leader Ghislain Picard and Atikamekw community leader Manawan Sipi Flamand, today submitted her petition calling on the Quebec government to deny the existence of racism and systemic discrimination in Quebec
The petition was formally introduced Thursday in the Blue Room of the National Assembly by Québec Solidaire co-speaker Manon Massé.
The demands made of the Quebec government contained in the submitted petition are as follows:
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to acknowledge the existence of systemic racism and discrimination against indigenous peoples, especially women and girls;
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implement concrete measures to eradicate systemic racism and discrimination ingrained in our institutions since colonization;
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embrace the Joyce Principle immediately and wholeheartedly;
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to help design and implement culturally appropriate and culturally safe services in cooperation with indigenous peoples.
The petition, launched on November 30, was eventually signed by nearly 4,000 people and the number from allies
According to Marjolaine Étienne, the testimony for the cause exceeded expectations.
” Quebecers’ support is showing and it is now up to Premier Legault to listen to us and become an ally for Aboriginal women and girls. »
In support of the submission of the petition, Manawan Chief Sipi Flamand stated that he It is important to recognize a fact, a problem, a reality in order to be able to improve conditions in society. The filing of this petition, initiated by Indigenous Quebec women, calls on the government to take a step forward if it truly wants to work toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
This is not the first time that a request of this nature has been addressed to François Legault’s government. Pressure from indigenous organizations has increased, particularly since the release of the report by coroner Géhane Kamel on the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan in September 2020.
More details to come
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