MCK bullish on AFNQL Northvolt resolution
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake came out publicly in support of a recent Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador resolution condemning the provincial and federal governments’ failure to consult First Nations on a new electric-battery recycling facility near Hemmingford.
The AFNQL resolution denounced Canada and Quebec’s failure to fulfill their obligations to consult and accommodate Indigenous people in regards to the Northvolt project -- and demands that the governments of Canada and Quebec fully respect their obligations to Indigenous people regarding the Northvolt Project and all related activities along the battery production chain, from mining to recycling.
Specifically, the MCK and the AFNQL are alleging the government’s failure to consult Indigenous people constitutes a violation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The AFNQL joined the MCK in its public stance against the project at its most recent general assembly in late May.
“The MCK applauds the AFNQL resolution,” it said. “This resolution confirms a broad level of support for the MCK's positions taken in the Northvolt litigation filed last January, including denouncing the provincial and federal government's failure to consult, affirming that their patterns of late and fragmented consultation are unacceptable and calling out the provincial wetlands compensation scheme as being particularly dismissive of Indigenous rights.”
The MCK filed suit against the proposed battery-recycling plant in January, saying it would irreparably harm the flora and fauna in the wetlands surrounding the area.
In its suit, the MCK alleged that the provincial government failed to follow its own environmental public-consultation process in giving the plant the go-ahead to start construction.
The MCK said the government’s handling of the Northvolt affair is indicative that the government only plans to pay lip service to UNDRIP.
“Northvolt is just one piece in Quebec’s Battery Initiative and Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy, both of which have generally failed to respect the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the MCK said, adding the AFNQL resolution provides a “a broad level of support,” for its suit against Northvolt.
Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase
