Wendake, February 27, 2024—Elected women from First Nations governments and Tribal Councils in Quebec-Labrador have developed and are in the process of implementing, at all levels of First Nations governance, the principle and applications of Lateral Benevolence and wish to share them with all elected officials, particularly those in municipalities.
“Throughout our societies, intimidation of elected officials undermines good governance. Elected women are open about this, and First Nations are not immune to reprehensible behavior toward elected officials. Women are often the targets, which compromises their essential involvement in the leadership of our Nations. We must put an end to this. Politics is often very tough, but it must never be brutal. Above all, it must never be used as a pretext for contempt toward women or any other targeted group. Never,” says Gespeg Councilor Nadia Robertson.
Elected First Nations women have been actively involved in developing and implementing the concept and practice of lateral benevolence. The AFNQL Women’s Council is committed to promoting it among all elected officials, targeting both First Nations and Quebec society as a whole.
The AFNQL Council of Elected Women recently held its annual general meeting in the community of Wendake, during which the need to implement lateral benevolence was at the heart of discussions and decisions. The recent resignation of the mayor of Gatineau, the reasons she gave, and the comments heard since then point to a major problem affecting governance in our societies, particularly local governance and community governance.
“The AFNQL maintains regular ties with Quebec municipalities. The AFNQL’s Council of Elected Women would like to see a discussion on lateral benevolence, as promoted by First Nations, included on the agenda of the next meeting between the AFNQL and Quebec mayors.
Together, we can better combat intimidation against elected officials,” proposes Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin-Anishinabeg Tribal Council.
Councilor Nadia Robertson and Grand Chief McGregor are the two spokespersons for the AFNQL’s Council of Elected Women.
About the AFNQL Council of Elected Women
The AFNQL Council of Elected Women is composed of all women duly elected to positions as chiefs or councilors in each of the First Nations communities in Quebec and Labrador. The AFNQL Council of Elected Women aims to promote a gender-equitable perspective within the Chiefs Table of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, First Nations communities in Quebec, and all entities dealing with First Nations that recognize, respect, and support the role of women in leadership positions.