Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo was one of multiple attendees to walk out of a meeting with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney last week, in an event that Diabo characterized as more of a PR stunt than a meaningful consultation.

“I refuse to be a photo op or have Kahnawake be a campaign tool for any foreign governments,” Diabo said. “I was very, very disappointed with the event overall.”

A lack of meaningful consultation was a major topic before the passing of the Bill, with many Indigenous groups, including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) arguing that the legislation was being rushed through with little regard for Indigenous input.

The summit in Gatineau was pitched as a way for community leaders to have facetime with Carney and voice their concerns, Diabo said, but instead felt like a slap in the face.

He waited six-and-a-half hours before an opportunity arose to say anything at the meeting.

“It almost felt like we were in some kind of high school thing, where it’s like, ‘You sit down, you answer these questions, and you answer only when you’re called upon, when you’re picked, and if you’re not picked, you don’t have an ability to speak,’” he said. “It was very disheartening. I’m very disappointed.”