Quebec Premier François Legault, during his inaugural speech in 2018 at the National Assembly, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the Indigenous communities as the original inhabitants of the land. This marked a positive start in his relationship with Indigenous groups, as noted by former chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, Ghislain Picard.
Despite initial promises, such as adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), made by Legault early in his tenure, subsequent actions seemed to neglect these commitments, causing disappointment among Indigenous leaders like Picard. With Legault’s recent resignation and an upcoming provincial election, Indigenous leaders are now looking for a new premier who will work towards repairing the strained relationship with their communities.
Following the Viens commission report in 2019, which examined the mistreatment of Indigenous people in Quebec, Legault formally apologized to First Nations and Inuit communities for the discrimination they endured. However, tensions arose when the province challenged Canada’s Indigenous child welfare law, Bill C-92, citing concerns about provincial jurisdiction, which further strained relations with Indigenous groups.
Issues such as the failure to implement UNDRIP and the neglect of systemic racism concerns have contributed to the erosion of trust between the Legault government and Indigenous communities. Despite some progress in certain areas, like information disclosure regarding missing Indigenous children, many key priorities, including signing the Petapan Treaty and recognizing the right to self-determination, have stalled.
Looking ahead, Indigenous leaders are hopeful that the next government will prioritize adopting UNDRIP and involve First Nations in the legislative process. While the current Indigenous Affairs Minister, Ian Lafrenière, remains optimistic about ongoing efforts, acknowledging past mistakes, there is a shared desire for improved communication and collaboration to address the pressing issues affecting Indigenous communities in Quebec.