FORT MCMURRAY (660 NEWS) – The Athabasca Tribal Council is heading down ‘The Orange Path’.
They have launched a petition with a goal of getting the Federal Government to change Canada’s Indian Act.
According to an ATC press release, sections 114 and 115 of the Indian Act still permit the Minister to operate and regulate schools for First Nations children without their free, prior and informed consent.
The ATC is proposing what it calls a “simple and powerful” amendment to the Act which would make free, prior and informed consent a requirement.
“As we shine a light on the tragic legacy of residential schools, the ATC is calling for real change and for us an important first step is the Athabasca Tribal Council Amendment,” states ATC CEO Karla Buffalo.
“We’re calling on all Nations, federal leaders, elected officials and Canadian allies to support the Athabasca Tribal Council Amendment.”
Member of the ATC Board of Directors and Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Peter Powder states, “The Indian Act Canada still has the power to run our schools without our consent which is the same way it was with residential schools.
“We want to have control over our children and their education. How can we be expected to move forward, to heal and to reconcile while Canada maintains this power?”
To find out more about the efforts of the ATC and to sign the petition in support, visit orangepath.ca.
