25 years since Elijah Harper said ‘no’ to the Meech Lake Accord
Jun 11, 2015
Retired indigenous leader Phil Fontaine remembers “a powerful moment for First Nations.”
It’s been 25 years since Elijah Harper held an eagle feather, stood in the Manitoba Legislature and quietly said no to the Meech Lake Accord.
The accord was a series of constitutional amendments aimed at keeping Quebec in Canada – but was fiercely opposed by indigenous leaders who felt it ignored their rights and place in this country.
Phil Fontaine was then Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and a key player in the accord’s defeat. Fontaine says AMC had been looking for a legal way to challenge the accord but soon realized the solution had to be political.
