Offensive mosaic: two great Wendats chefs ask for a replacement work

The current great chief and the former great chief of Wendake, Pierre Picard and Konrad Sioui, would like the debate surrounding the offensive mosaic for the First Nations to be an opportunity to display a work of reconciliation and equality between the two peoples .

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Pierre Picard had a discussion on Thursday with the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand. “I had the opportunity to suggest that a Wendat work symbolizing our egalitarian and respectful relationships take place in the same reception room,” he said by state, at the end of the day. “In addition, I proposed to him that if he decided that the mosaic remains in place that it has a contextualization text to be approved by our experts.”

To which the mayor increased on his Facebook page in the evening: “I spoke to the great chef earlier this afternoon and we agreed to work together to identify a solution that will be satisfactory on both sides . We exchanged some thoughts and agreed to go back quickly. I trust that this challenge will offer us an opportunity to promote a better understanding between our communities. ”

Ex-grand chief Konrad Sioui, with whom The newspaper Maintained a little earlier, had submitted the same idea. For him, however, it was clear that the mosaic should be withdrawn. “Let it put it somewhere, for those who like it to see relics of the good old days. And change that with something that will talk about truth and reconciliation, human relationships between individuals who respect themselves despite their differences. ”

He salutes the mayor’s decision, which is provisional, to hide it in the presence of the First Nations. “I applaud the mayor and the council for having made a gesture of honor. It is a good opening, ”says the ex-political man in an interview.

“I do not know a single person on the First Nations side who is happy to see that,” he said.

Grand chef in front of Champlain

Given the post he held, that of a great chef, he projects himself from the point of view of the character of the mosaic, an indigenous kneeling in front of Samuel de Champlain. “We cannot redo the past. But that’s still there. When I wear my headdress and proudly represent my nation, I see myself in front of Champlain, crouching … There is only the little hand that comes out to quest a few pieces of bread. I don’t see myself like that. “

Opposition “FLING FLANG”

He criticizes the reactions of the Quebec opposition parties first and a Quebec priority team, which he describes as a “political flang”. Claude Villeneuve deplored that the mayor acts “preventively” and Patrick Paquet described the gesture as “Woke” and pleaded to leave the visible work at all times.

According to Mr. Sioui, several people, and not only the First Nations, are uncomfortable with this representation.

He recalls that Historically, the First Nations have always discussed equal to their European interlocutors. “Discussions were from nation to nation.” This is why it is necessary, according to him, to initiate a reflection on the false representations which are exposed, as is the case of this mosaic.

Reconciliation

“It should not be forced. It must be understood. It is a collective effort, we are in a reconciliation exercise. Nothing should be precipitated. “

Konrad Sioui also underlines that there are not many signs in Quebec which honor the presence of First Nations. He relates that a request had already been made to rename the Laurentian motorway in the name of the ancestral territory of the Wendat, the Nionwentsïo. A project that has never succeeded.