Press Release

Val-d’Or, May 22, 2007 — The panelists and presenters at the 5th Annual Université du Québec en Abitibi- Témiscamingue (UQAT) First Nations Symposium all expressed the difficulty they have defining themselves as Aboriginal people, in modern society.

Despite this, according to Ms.Marcelline Picard-Kanapé, it is possible to create bridges to other cultures, while still remaining Aboriginal. “An education that is accepted and desired by Aboriginal people,” she affirmed, “will help Aboriginal people rediscover their pride and their confidence in themselves.” In the same spirit, Ms. Lauretta McKenzie explains that it is impossible to cut a person off from their cultural roots, because culture is what defines them. “Culture,” she observed, “shapes our vision of the world and our identity, but it is not static, because it evolves according to context.” She notes that many Aboriginal people acquire a bi-cultural identity, with respect to their traditional view of the world, to make a place for themselves in mainstream society.

For his part, Mr. Jacques Kurtness questioned the universally accepted concepts of development, progress and modernization. He then joined Messrs. Charles Coocoo and Denis Duchesne to discuss the difficult transition from colonialism to the affirmation of Aboriginal identity experienced by Aboriginal people. All three envisioned it as part of a common healing process.

Six panelists, Nancy W. Crépeau, Franckie Dick, Diane George, Marlène Jérôme, Mélanie Kistabish and Évelyne Papatie, spoke about the realities of young adults engaged in the transition from tradition to modernity.

After cautioning against globalization’s narrow ideology, UQAT President Mrs. Johanne Jean brought the symposium to a close by reaffirming that traditions remain a solid base on which to construct the province’s collective future.

Close to 250 people participated in this year’s UQAT First Nations Symposium on May 18 at the Hotel Forestel in Val-d’Or. According to Ms. Marie-Josée Croteau, President of the First Nations Advisory Committee, the event was a great success: “The increased number and diversity of participants speak to the importance that people in the region place on the quality of relationships, and the creation of partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.”

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Source : Bernard Pelletier
Senior Advisor
Information and Public Affairs
819-762-0971 ext. 2222

Photos and captions at : http://www.uqat.ca/repertoire/photopresse/index.asp?strPath=/Repertoire/Photopresse/Dossiers/colloque_pn_bilan/