January 2023
THE ABENAKI COUNCIL OF ODANAK WISHES TO HEAR YOU
The elected officials of the Abenaki Council of Odanak wish to obtain your opinion on the possibility of adhering to the First Nations Elections Act rather than remaining under the election provisions of the Indian Act.
The major point of joining the First Nations Elections Act would be to increase the term of office of elected officials from 2 years to 4 years. We invite you to look at the comparative table to compare the different provisions between the two laws.
A discussion on this subject will take place at the next public assembly scheduled for April 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Odanak community Hall. Members will be able to join in person or virtually at this meeting.
December 2022
November 2022
Michelle O’Bonsawin: An Abenaki at the Supreme Court of Canada
The Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin with CAO Executive Director, Mr. Daniel G. Nolett and AFNQL Regional Chief, Mr. Ghislain Picard.
Yesterday, in Ottawa, the welcoming ceremony of the new Supreme Court of Canada judge, Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, took place. The entire W8banaki Nation of Odanak is extremely proud that a W8banakiak from the community is the very first Indigenous judge to sit on the highest court in the country.
In addition to being a highly respected judge in the Canadian legal community, Ms. O’Bonsawin’s career and accomplishments are remarkable and it is an invaluable honour to have such an ambassador for our Nation.
Our most sincere congratulations!
October 2022
Viewing of the documentary “The Predentians”
Identity wars: What makes an Indigenous person Indigenous, and how do “pretendians” complicate things ?
Drew Hayden Taylor examines the issue of ‘pretendians,’ those faking Indigenous heritage, in this new documentary that we invite you to watch here.
September 2022
August 2022
Kiuna celebrates 46 new graduates
At its 8th graduation ceremony, Kiuna, the only First Nations post- secondary institution in Quebec, is proud to finally be able to highlight the resilience, the determination, and the success of its 46 graduates from the 2020, 2021, 2022 cohorts.
These graduates are obtaining their diplomas in various college programs including Social Science – First Nations profile, Special Care Counselling and Aboriginal Contexts, Event Planning, Administrative Work, Arts, Literature and Communication – Indigenous Cinema profile and First Nation Language profile.
Kiuna’s objective is to democratize access to post-secondary studies for First Nations members. The college is recognized for its culturally adapted educational services through its unique environment where programs, student services, human resources, teaching methods and pedagogical material take into account Aboriginal culture and traditions.
These 3 cohorts now bring the number of graduates to 151 since the institution opened in 2011.