Quebec marks National Indigenous Peoples Day amid tension
The regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Francis Verreault-Paul, in Lac-Beauport, on February 26, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)
Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities came together on Saturday to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. In Quebec, as across the country, feelings are mixed amid concerns that new federal and provincial legislation could roll back First Nations rights.
More than a hundred people gathered at the Old Port of Montreal at noon to celebrate both the beginning of summer and local Indigenous cultures.
Mohawk Elder Sedalia Fazio opened the traditional ceremony with the lighting of the day's fire in front of the Montreal Science Centre. Mohawk dancers then moved through the crowd, followed by a tobacco ceremony.
'The real importance of this day is that people are finally starting to realize we're here, we've always been here, and we're not going anywhere,' Sedalia Fazio told The Canadian Press.
'There's been a shift among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Things are moving in the right direction, but non-Indigenous people still have a lot to learn.'
She lamented that many people still don't know the history of colonial policies in Canada.
'They have no idea about the history, but they always have something to say,' said Fazio.
'It took the marches of Idle No More to start changing things. Back then, there were a lot of people against us, but now they're coming around and standing with us, because they're learning the real story.'
The Mohawk elder said she feels optimistic about the younger generation of Indigenous people—and about a non-Indigenous youth that is increasingly educated.
'Young Indigenous people are happier to be Indigenous than we were when we were young,' she said.
'When I was little, I wanted to be blonde with blue eyes and I used to use bleach because I thought I was too dark. But today, young people aren't like that. They're proud to be Indigenous, proud of their black hair and darker skin.'
Legislation raising concerns
For Francis Verreault-Paul, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), the day is first and foremost a celebration of Indigenous cultures and a moment of exchange between nations—but, he added, 'we've more than reached the point where a legislative reconciliation process needs to begin.'
'We feel the pressure—there's a global geopolitical context putting pressure on everyone, and that pressure is being felt by First Nations here,' Chief Verreault-Paul told The Canadian Press.
'First Nations have ancestral rights to this land, and in order to move forward together, those rights must be respected.'
Chief Verreault-Paul singled out Quebec's Bill 97, which includes proposed changes to forest zoning, as one source of concern.
'There's a broad consensus of dissatisfaction and unrest regarding Bill 97, which touches the heart of our nations,' he said.
'We need to stay mobilized as First Nations to make sure our rights are respected. People have every right to express their discontent—I just hope it doesn't turn into civil disobedience and that it's done peacefully and with respect.'
He stressed the need to remind the Quebec government that forests represent 'the heart of our nations' for many Indigenous communities.
'This bill needs to be completely reformed,' added Verreault-Paul. 'It jeopardizes the long-term survival of our forests, the recognition of our rights, and biodiversity—so we need to find a balance.'
Quebec's Minister Responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière, was present at the gathering. He declined to discuss the controversy surrounding Bill 97.
'This isn't the right day to talk about that,' said Lafrenière. 'It's a day of reflection, a day to celebrate languages and cultures. Of course, the laws we pass and the actions we take as a government do impact First Nations.'
Also raising alarm is Bill C-5, adopted under closure in Ottawa, which many fear could once again sideline Indigenous peoples from consultation processes.
'In the past, consultation and consent were far from being respected, and now we're seeing a bill that will accelerate decisions,' said Chief Verreault-Paul.
'There may be opportunities in this geopolitical shift, where we're all rethinking our approach a little—but even so, the respect for Indigenous Peoples must not be cast aside, as it has been too often in the past.'
According to one event organizer, several invitations were sent to Ottawa to attend the ceremony, but none were accepted.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 21, 2025.
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