FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MPP Mike Schreiner released the following statement to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the strength, culture, and deep knowledge systems of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island. This day is not only a time for celebration, it’s a time for recommitment to justice, reconciliation, and respect for Indigenous rights.
Indigenous communities have fought hard to preserve their traditional practices, art forms, languages, and teachings despite generations of sustained, systemic colonial violence and cultural genocide.
This year, a commitment to justice is more urgent than ever. The Ontario government’s Bill 5 represents a dangerous step backward in the fight to uphold Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights. Passing this bill without first consulting First Nations, and allowing development in so-called “special economic zones” without clear, transparent processes for free, prior, and informed consent, is an attempt by this government to sidestep its constitutional duty to consult Indigenous communities.
We are inspired by the powerful leadership shown by First Nations across Ontario, who are standing up against Bill 5. Ontario must not be a province where economic development tramples Indigenous rights.
We stand with First Nations leaders and communities who are working hard to protect their rights, and the nature that sustains us a
Today, and every day, the Ontario Greens stand in solidarity with Indigenous leaders and communities calling for:
- The immediate reversal of Bill 5;
- A commitment to uphold free, prior, and informed consent as the standard for all projects that impact treaty lands;
- Co-development of a mandatory, truth-based curriculum on Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues in Ontario schools; and
- Stable, long-term funding for Indigenous-led education and language revitalization programs.
We celebrate Indigenous cultures today. But we also recommit to the hard, necessary work of standing beside Indigenous peoples in the fight for justice.”