Cree’s opposition to Bill 96 continues to grow with more local and regional leaders, who say Quebec’s reform of the French Charter does not recognize Cree’s rights and will negatively affect otherwise good relations with the province.
Cree government officials say Bill 96 will negatively affect Cree’s rights and the nation’s “social, cultural, economic and political development”.
“We shared … our concerns with the Quebec government and showed our willingness to work [the government] to find solutions, “Cree Mandy Chief Gul-Masti said in a statement.
Officials also say Bill 96 ignores the treaty rights guaranteed by the James and North Quebec Bay Agreement, signed by Cree and the Inuit of North Quebec in 1975.
Gull-Masty does not say what Cree can do to protect these rights, but they will continue to monitor closely and assess the impact of the new law.
The Quebec government’s position is that the new law does not affect the right of indigenous communities in Quebec to develop and maintain their language and culture.
Last month, Quebec Indigenous Minister Jan Lafrenier visited several Cree and Inuit communities before the bill was passed. At the time, spokesman Mathieu Duroscher told the CBC that he agreed that indigenous languages and cultures should be respected and encouraged. Duroscher said the government would continue to seek “concrete solutions” with local communities.
The “we don’t speak English” mentality takes us all back. “Daisy House, leader of the Chisasibi Cree Nation.”
For the leader of the Cree nation in Chisasibi, the largest of the Cree communities, with a population of more than 5,000, Bill 96 is a slap in the face.
“[Bill 96] closes the territory. This closes the province, “said Chisasibi chief Daisy House, adding that it would negatively affect young people in Cree and force them to go to post-secondary school in Ontario, away from their culture and language.
When House went to high school in the 1990s, she said she was struggling with French requirements for graduation at the time.
“I had to take two French courses and I had difficulties, even though I went to primary school and French high school. That was my third language, “House said.
“The ‘we don’t speak English’ mentality takes us back and will have a negative impact on our nation, province and country,” said Chisasibi chief Daisy House. (Susan Bell / CBC)
Under the new law, students will have to take five French language courses to complete CEGEP, as Quebec Public Colleges are called
“The ‘we don’t speak English’ mentality repulses us and will have a negative impact on our nation, province and state,” House said in a statement.
“This is an inconvenient and disrespectful obstacle for our nation when it comes to business, economic development, education and attempts to strengthen the nation’s relations with Quebec.
Extensive language restrictions
Bill 96 was passed last month and will impose language restrictions on municipalities and small businesses with more than 25 employees.
In addition to requiring more French courses to complete, the legislation also sets a ceiling on the number of students who can attend English-language CEGEP.
It will also restrict the use of English in most public services and courts.
Bill 96 also contains an exception that a language other than French may be used “when health, public safety or the principles of natural justice so require”, and government officials said health services would continue to be available in English.
Bertie Wapachi, Chairman of the James Bay Cree Health and Social Services Board. (Christopher Herodie / CBC)
But it is unclear when the exemption could apply and what the new law on non-public parts of the healthcare network means.
The head of the James Bay Bay Cree Health and Social Services Board, Bertie Wapachi, said his council had not yet been able to fully discuss the new law and its potential impact.
Speaking personally, Wapachi said Bill 96 would be a burden on the Cree nation and the Cree people.
“They seem to be ignoring our language,” Bertie Wapachi said in an interview with Cree.
“I do not think we can give in to the laws that come into force. I look forward to seeing you [the Cree] to cooperate so that our language is recognized and we do not have to speak French.
“I know [Bill 96] it will cause friction when we work together, because this is another language that will be imposed on us again. “
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