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(Leaders at Kanesatake, the third Mohawk territory in the Montreal area, with a population of about 9,900, could not comment this week because of a senior leader’s death.)

Quebec is home to more than 30 communities of aboriginal people of varying descent. There are over 98,500 First Nations and Inuit in Quebec, just over 1% of the province’s population.

The occupants of northern Quebec are almost entirely First Nations and Inuit. Cree and Inuit in northern Quebec had previously raised concerns relating to a potential separation during the 1995 referendum.

“Quebec can decide whatever it wants for itself but as far as the land is concerned to us there are clear arguments,” said Assembly of First Nations regional chief for Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard. “Quebec can decide the fate of its people for itself, but they certainly cannot decide our fate as First Nations people,”

During the 1995 referendum, the majority of First Nations communities in Quebec held referendums of their own and voted overwhelmingly against Quebec becoming independent.

Sovereignty became a major focus of the current campaign after media baron Pierre Karl Peladeau joined the PQ this month, when he raised his fist and declared he wanted to help make Quebec a country. PQ Leader Pauline Marois has moved away from the issue in recent days.

If the PQ is able to obtain a majority government in the election on April 7, a white book on an independent Quebec would be released in the following months.

The Parti Québécois refused to comment when asked their intention for the First Nations territories within the province’s borders.

National Post, with files from The Canadian Press