Public Inquiry Commission Created to Examine Relations between Quebec's Public Services and First Nations

Details: Created: 22 December 2016

Wendake, December 21, 2016 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) welcomes the Government of Quebec's announcement confirming the creation of a public inquiry commission tasked with examining relations between the province's public services (police, justice, health, social services and child protection) and First Nations. The commission is mandated with profiling the systemic issues leading to discriminatory practices and will propose solutions aimed at eradicating these practices within the province's public services. The commission's work will cover the last 15 years. It will issue an official report by November 2018.

This inquiry commission is an adequate response by the provincial government that will shed light on an issue that affects all of Quebec society. Indeed, the government is responsible for ensuring the safety of all Quebecers. “This commission will enable us to examine the underlying causes of this social crisis and the realities First Nations face. The commission is an essential step in promoting real dialogue between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders as part of a concerted effort not only to put an end to the systemic racism embedded in our institutions, but also to rebuild trust,” said RCAAQ President Christine Jean.

“It was imperative that we look into Quebec's specific context. For us, a huge milestone was marked today. We see the Government's concern in the wake of extremely unfortunate events and its real commitment to casting light on their negative impacts on Aboriginal peoples’ lives. These stem from practices that are deeply embedded in Quebec's public services,” added RCAAQ Executive Director Tanya Sirois. The RCAAQ would like to again pay tribute to the courageous Aboriginal women who have brought this social issue to light, making it a matter of public concern for the Government of Quebec.

In the wake of this social crisis, Native Friendship Centres will continue to offer their support and assistance to urban Aboriginals by providing a continuum of services, including psychosocial resources, in a safe environment that is respectful of Aboriginal cultures.

The RCAAQ groups seven member Native Friendship Centres and one service point in Chibougamau, Joliette, La Tuque, Montréal, Senneterre, Sept-Îles, Trois-Rivières and Val-d’Or. Two Friendship Centres are under development in Roberval and Maniwaki. The Quebec Native Friendship Centres work to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, promote Aboriginal culture and build bridges between peoples.

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Source: Joannie Caron, Communications Advisor
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

The new Programme d’aide aux Autochtones en milieu urbain: Acknowledgement of urban Aboriginal realities

Details: Created: 18 October 2016

Wendake, October 17, 2016 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) congratulates the Government of Quebec for its Programme d’aide aux Autochtones en milieu urbain, a new funding program for urban Aboriginal organizations, thereby fulfilling the province’s commitment to a nearly 9‑millon-dollar investment, as foreseen in its 2016‒2017 budget. The program is specifically intended to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal people living in Quebec’s cities and towns by providing the community organizations serving these citizens the means to offer them direct and quality services.

“After the whirlwind of the Val-d’Or events, the launch of this program is a step in the right direction. It truly acknowledges women’s and all urban Aboriginal citizens’ reality, a reality around which the RCAAQ has been working to raise the awareness of government bodies for nearly 40 years,” notes Christine Jean, President of the RCAAQ. Given the constant growth of Quebec’s urban Aboriginal population, the needs and concerns about service accessibility are very real, particularly in the health, social services, education, employability and the legal sectors. Making sure that these services are offered in culturally relevant and culturally safe ways in our cities is key to reaching this clientele. “There is a major gap between Aboriginal people and other Quebecers in terms of physical, psychological and socio-economic wellbeing indicators. The Programmed’aide aux Autochtones en milieu urbain will help community organizations, such as the Native Friendship Centres, take frontline action with Aboriginal citizens, including women,” Ms. Jean points out.

The Native Friendship Centres are direct service hubs for Aboriginal citizens living in or passing through Quebec’s cities and towns. Every day, the Native Friendship Centres welcome Aboriginal people in urban areas by offering them support and guidance via a continuum of over 50 culturally relevant and safe services in a multiservice setting. While Ms. Jean feels that today’s announcement is a sign of progress, she reminds us that concerted action within the Government of Quebec on the urban Aboriginal issue is nonetheless crucial.

The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec groups seven Native Friendship Centres and one service point. Its members are found in Chibougamau, Joliette, La Tuque, Montréal, Senneterre, Sept Îles, Trois-Rivières et Val-d'Or. Two Friendship Centres are currently being developed in Roberval and Maniwaki. The Native Friendship Centres of Quebec works to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, promote their culture and build bridges between peoples.

– 30 –

Source: Joannie Caron, Communications Coordinator
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

The RCAAQ’s Reaction to the Government of Quebec’s Involvement in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Details: Created: 18 August 2016

Wendake, August 18, 2016 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) commends the Government of Quebec’s initiative to pass an order allowing the national commission on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls to investigate the cases of police misconduct in Quebec. However, the content, scope and powers of the order must be analyzed and assessed to determine whether it is an acceptable solution to the problem in Quebec.

After the shocking revelations by Aboriginal women in Val-d’Or, the RCAAQ joined First Nations chiefs in calling for a provincial public inquiry into how police treated and enforced the law against Aboriginal people in Quebec. Including this type of investigation in the broader national mandate is ambitious, given that the commissioners will have to meet the high expectations of the victims’ families and will have to travel across Canada. Moreover, there is reason to be concerned about the amount of time the federal commission will have to look into issues as fundamental as the safety and protection of Aboriginal women in Quebec.

“A provincial inquiry into police abuse would be complementary to the national commission on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and would address the specific circumstances of Quebec,” states RCAAQ President Christine Jean.

The Native Friendship Centres that are members of the RCAAQ can be found in Chibougamau, Joliette, La Tuque, Montréal, Senneterre, Sept-Îles, Trois-Rivières and Val-d’Or. Two Friendship Centres are currently being developed in Roberval and Maniwaki. The Native Friendship Centres of Quebec work to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, promote their culture and build bridges between peoples.

– 30 –

Source: Joannie Caron, Communications Coordinator
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada: A step towards reconciliation and peace

Details: Created: 04 August 2016

Wendake, August 3, 2016 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) welcomes the launch of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. The RCAAQ is also pleased by the nomination of five Aboriginal commissioners. The commissioners, who will begin their work on September 1, 2016, have been mandated to examine the situation and produce a report on the causes of this violence and the systemic racism toward Aboriginal women and girls. Following the 2015 federal elections, the Government of Canada announced its commit to hold a national inquiry into these human dramas experienced by thousands of women and girls, who, let us remember, are our mothers, our sisters and our wives. The RCAAQ congratulates the Government of Canada for respecting its commitment—at long last a sign of recognition that justice will be had. The RCAAQ considers the National Inquiry to be a significant step toward the peaceful cohabitation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, a step imbued with mutual respect and based on joint action.

For RCAAQ president Christine Jean, the National Inquiry is part of the answer to improving the living conditions of Aboriginal women. “Concrete actions must be taken now to put an end to the violence against Aboriginal women and girls and to support existing initiatives. However, we also know that the National Inquiry will not solve all the problems, particularly those regarding the actions of Quebec’s police force. This responsibility falls to the Government of Quebec alone and this issue must be examined with great attention.” Last April, the RCAAQ called for a public inquiry into how police treated and enforced the law against Aboriginal people in Quebec following the denunciation of sexual and physical abuse cases committed by Sûreté du Québec officers against Aboriginal women.

The Native Friendship Centres that are members of the RCAAQ can be found in Chibougamau, Senneterre, Val‑d’Or, Montréal, Joliette, Trois-Rivières, La Tuque and Sept‑Îles. Two Friendship Centres are currently being developed in Roberval and Maniwaki. The Native Friendship Centres of Quebec work to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, promote their culture and build bridges between peoples.

– 30 –

Source: Joannie Caron, Communications Coordinator
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin received prestigious title of Knight from the Ordre national du Québec

Details: Created: 23 June 2016

Wendake, June 23, 2016 – The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones (RCAAQ) would like to express its most sincere congratulations to T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin, Elder at the RCAAQ and senator in the National Association of Friendship Centres. T8aminik was inducted as a Knight into the Ordre national du Québec, by Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard, during a ceremony held on June 22 in the Parliament Building.

Actively involved in the Native Friendship Centre Movement for over 40 years, T8aminik Rankin, hereditary Algonquin chief and medicine man, is one of the founders of the Native Friendship Centre of Val-d’Or. Originally from the Abitibi region and former Grand Chief of the Algonquin Nation, T8aminik works today as spiritual teacher and leader, passing down the traditional knowledge of the Anishinabeg people to the younger generations to reconnect them to their heritage and traditions. In addition to his involvement with the Quebec and Canadian Native Friendship Centres, T8aminik co-wrote an autobiography with Marie‑Josée Tardif entitled On nous appelait les Sauvages, which bears witness to the time he spent in residential schools.

The Ordre national du Québec highlights the lifework of extraordinary citizens. T8aminik received this recognition for his citizenship and his exceptional commitment to urban Aboriginal people. Founded in 1984, the Ordre national du Québec is the highest award Quebec can bestow.

The RCAAQ is proud of the inspiring life of T8aminik Rankin characterized by forgiveness, reconciliation and dedication to Aboriginal culture. The RCAAQ would also like to thank T8aminik for his support in the RCAAQ’s democratic governance and for his traditional teachings steeped in wisdom.

The Native Friendship Centres that are members of the RCAAQ can be found in Chibougamau, Senneterre, Val‑d’Or, Montréal, Joliette, Trois-Rivières, La Tuque and Sept‑Îles. Two Friendship Centres are currently being developed in Roberval and Maniwaki. The Native Friendship Centres of Quebec works to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal people, promote their culture and build bridges between peoples.

– 30 –

Source: Joannie Caron, Communications Coordinator
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

A wind of change for the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec to mark its 40th anniversary

Details: Created: 14 June 2016

Wendake, June 14, 2016 – Last June 11, the members of the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) elected a new President at their Annual General Meeting in Québec City. Christine Jean has been active within the Québec Native Friendship Centre Movement for 20 years, and is the Executive Director of the Centre d'amitié autochtone de La Tuque as well as its service point for Aboriginals in Trois-Rivières. She succeeds Edith Cloutier who has held the position of President of the RCAAQ since 1991. Edith Cloutier has decided to pass on the torch in order to dedicate herself to the implementation of the various engagements and initiatives announced in the wake of the events that took place in October 2015 in Val-d'Or, events which shook up Québec following the denunciation of native women and involving police officers of the Sûreté du Québec.

During the 37th Annual General Meeting of the RCAAQ, member Friendship Centres[1] sent out a clear message of solidarity by adopting a Unity Charter, putting into perspective their vision, values, and common aspirations. "In light of the social, community, cultural, and political challenges that come with the urban dimension, Friendship Centres must be at the forefront for solutions and daily innovation with regards to the organization and accessibility of services," explains the new President, Christine Jean.

In Québec, 53.2%[2] of First Nations members are established in the cities. Friendship Centres represent versatile, open, and apolitical spaces, acting as catalysts of change. Dedicated to well-being, justice, and social inclusion, they encourage a harmonious cohabitation between peoples. "The Friendship Centres have occupied urban spaces in Québec for more than 45 years. They are autonomous and democratic community organizations, serving as service hubs, living environments, and cultural anchorages for First Nations and Inuit members," states Tanya Sirois, executive director of the RCAAQ.

The Friendship Centre Movement in Québec is a leader for a native civil society that is engaged in the collective action of urban Aboriginals, and encourages them to speak out, supports taking action, and demonstrates decision-making, all the while reaching out in friendship to Québec society, thus inviting to dialogue and reconciliation.

The Native Friendship Centres of Quebec are located in Chibougamau, Senneterre, Val-d’Or, Montreal, Joliette, Trois-Rivières, La Tuque, Quebec City, Saguenay and Sept-Iles. Two Friendship Centres are being developed in the cities of Roberval and Maniwaki. Their mission is to improve urban Aboriginal people’s quality of life, promote culture and promote mutual understanding between peoples.

– 30 –

Source : Joannie Caron, Communications Coordinator
joannie.caron@rcaaq.info
418-842-6354

[1] Member Friendship Centres are in the cities of Val-d’Or, Senneterre, Chibougamau, La Tuque, Trois-Rivières, Joliette, Montréal, and Sept-Îles. Furthermore, two Friendship Centres are in development in Roberval and Maniwaki.

[2] First Nations and Inuit Labour Market Advisory Committee (NILMAC). L’état du marché du travail au Québec pour les Premières Nations et les Inuits : situation récente et tendances. Rapport préliminaire (2015).

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