Council signs historic agreement with Quebec

Quebec signed a historic agreement in Montreal with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) today, one both parties hope will pave the way for a more constructive relationship moving forward.

“Today marks a new beginning in Quebec’s relationship with Kahnawake,” premier François Legault said as he addressed a room of journalists there to witness the signing of the document - the Statement of Understanding and Mutual Respect.

“I’m hoping that this is more than just a symbolic gesture, and I truly feel that it’s more than that - that there’s actually a real commitment,” MCK grand chief Cody Diabo said.

Quebec minister for Indigenous relations Ian Lafrenière and Council chief Jeffrey Diabo, who were both actively involved in the negotiations over the agreement, were also there for the celebration.

The premier had already assured the MCK grand chief in November the agreement would be signed before the new year, a promise he kept.

“This Statement of Understanding and Mutual Respect embodies our collective effort to establish a foundation for constructive dialogue, practical collaboration and a peaceful co-existence,” Diabo. “It represents years of hard work and the willingness of both parties to address issues directly and respectfully.”

Lafrenière said there will continue to be disagreements between the province and the band council, but that doesn’t mean both sides can’t resolve their disputes through mutual respect.

“It’s the beginning of a good relationship. We’ve established the ground rules on how we’re going to work together, so it means a lot to us,” the minister said.

The next step will include the formation of various sectoral tables that’ll be used to further discussions on key priorities - like transport, economy, environment, energy, language, and more.

The framework that’ll be followed will be similar to one the MCK is in the process of establishing with Canada, which comes following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government earlier this spring.

This new agreement with Quebec replaces another the province signed with the band council roughly 15 years ago, Lafrenière said.

Quebec also already has an equivalent agreement in place with the Inuit Nation in the north of the province, he said. It was signed exactly one year ago as of this Friday - on December 20, 2023.

“What we want is agreements like this with all First Nation communities, by taking a nation-to-nation approach,” the minister said.

What makes this newest agreement distinct from prior ones the MCK has signed with Quebec over the decades is its emphasis on basic language, Lafrenière said, and how the province and band council can coexist peacefully when working with one another.

“The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake advocated for an agreement that is simplified, clear and mutually respectful, one that avoids language and references that have historically caused disputes,” Diabo said. “At times our efforts have been hampered by processes and language that did not fully acknowledge our distinct perspectives or reflect the balance and equality we seek.”

A full copy of the memorandum is expected to be published in full on Quebec’s website.

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