MCA has hope for more change: Council hits halfway mark

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has passed the halfway mark in their 2009-2012 term of office. To date this Council has seen the close of some long term projects like the Old Age Security file and Kawehno:ke/Easterbrook land claim which are both on the cusp of being completed.

Closing out those old files has been just one of the many other areas that Council has been working on over the past year and a half. One important item that is being developed is the fight against prescription drug abuse and working on an awareness campaign. Council members on this have been working together with the Department of Health, Department of Community and Social Service, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, and the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education to develop the strategy. This working group coupled with community focus meetings has shed light on the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic in the community.

The biggest complaint heard by Council regarding Oxycontin and other related drug abuse has been in regard to all of the hoops families have had to jump through to get help for their family members battling their addictions. Often times it is difficult enough to get a person to agree to go into a rehabilitation center, but when they are then pitted against a mountain of paperwork, doctors visits, and other professional opinions to seek, the process kills the spirit of hope that led a person to seek help in the first place.

Immediate steps that have gone into place since the start of this project is the development of a strategic plan. Workshops have been made available to the community and additional training has been offered to workers who deal with these clients to ensure that they can help as much as possible.

Increasing choices for available healthcare has also been an accomplishment this term. Council has networked with other hospitals located in Quebec that are within a reasonable driving distance to Akwesasne. After meeting with the Directors of the Hospital, and having them visit Akwesasne to see how we are sprawled across many jurisdictions they are now more understanding of our Community members needs. Having this other option of healthcare for those with QHIP means that a patient can get a second opinion if they feel they need it.

In continuing to network with different Quebec officials, discussion has been ongoing about creating a Quebec link between Snye and Dundee in the form of a bridge. While Quebec Ministry of Transportation hasn’t completely ruled this out of the discussion, they are more eager about building a bridge from St. Regis to Snye, which would improve the response time of emergency vehicles into Snye. This would also give St. Regis residents another way to leave in case an accident happens on St. Regis Road blocking their only way out.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne also recently reported that they have changed their insurance carrier, which allows for residents to have more choices on where they get coverage. This has opened the door for other insurance agencies in Quebec to make their way into the territory to offer lower rates on car insurance. In addition to this, there have been talks about bringing in an SAAQ (Quebec DMV) at least a few days a month to make it easier for Quebec residents to apply for a driver’s license and get Quebec insurance.

These projects are just a few of the different initiatives currently being pursued by Council. With the change to quarterly General meetings, a radio update from each Council member will be aired at the end of the month to update the community on Council activity. The next general meeting will be held in March, but if you have any questions or concerns before then you can contact the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne at 613-575-2348.