MONTREAL, QC (Aug. 27, 2024) – The Dawson Student Union (DSU) has launched a petition that will be presented to the National Assembly of Quebec requesting that the Quebec government fully exempt Indigenous students from the harmful provisions of Law 14.

Sponsored by Jennifer Maccarone, MNA for Westmount-Saint-Louis, the petition’s overall message is that instead of making post-secondary education for Indigenous students more accessible, Law 14 poses a significant barrier to Indigenous students to attend CEGEP.

Indigenous students in Quebec are already struggling to pursue further studies at CEGEP, and Law 14, as it is being implemented now, means some Indigenous students will not be able to graduate.

“I already have a tough time with the English exit exam, and I speak English, so I can’t imagine doing a French exit exam and how many times I’d fail that,” said Teioniehtathe Hamelin, a student at Champlain College Saint Lambert, Kanien’keha:ka from Kahnawake.

Law 14 was put in place to preserve the French language in Quebec, yet it further damages efforts to preserve Indigenous languages. By imposing the French language on Indigenous youth, the Quebec government is threatening the preservation of the languages and cultures of their communities.

“This new law puts the education of Indigenous students at risk and infringes on their rights, once more perpetuating the colonial system,” says Leilah Doyle, DSU Vice-President External Affairs.

Data from Dawson’s Quality Assurance and Planning Office says that College-wide, around 80% of all students pass all their courses in their first semester. For Indigenous students, less than 50% pass all their courses in the first semester. “They continue to implement oppressive systems to knock us down, and to destroy any chance of any kind of revival for our culture and our language,” said Zye Mayo, a student at Dawson College, Kanien’keha:ka from Kahnawake in a video released by Dawson College in June 2024.

MNA Jennifer Maccarone is proud to support student-led initiatives. “As MNA for Westmount–Saint-Louis, where Dawson College is located, I’m proud to bring their voice to the National Assembly,” Ms. Maccarone said. “It’s imperative that the Quebec government open a constructive dialogue with our First Nations and Inuit communities, and our students, who have mobilized to make their voices heard.”

The Dawson Student Union urges everyone to sign and share the petition. “Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, this is something everyone can actually do as a concrete gesture to support the future of Indigenous nations,” Leilah said.

“We urge our fellow students and all Quebecers to stand with Indigenous youth and to listen to what they have to say. This is a chance for younger students to also participate since the petition is open to those under 18.”

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Sign the petition:

English: https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-10915/index.html

French: https://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-10915/index.html

Once a person signs the petition online, they must check their email, open the message from the National Assembly and click on the link to validate their signature.

Listen to the Indigenous students in this video: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/indigenous-students-say-law-14-puts-their-education-at-risk

About the Dawson Student Union: The Dawson Student Union (DSU) is the accredited student association that represents Dawson College students.

Media contact:

media@dawsonstudentunion.com