Letter to the editor

Letter to the Editor

September 25, 2012

Questions and Transparency?

It has been several months since the last Mohawk Council of Akwesasne election and I have some thoughts on the current election law.

The swearing in ceremony was planned prior to the appeal process being completed. It was advertised in the local media with the date, time and place for this event.

An appeal was delivered prior to the end of the time for the appeals to be heard. This appeal cited several members who voted on Kahwehnoke who are residing off of the territory or are living in another district. My issue is not that they voted but that everyone who resides off of the territory should also be allowed to vote.

Another issue with the appeal process is that it was signed and delivered by a sibling of the appellant. I believe that it was a conflict of interest but I am sure that plans had been made for the swearing-in and nothing could deter this celebration.

I have been trying to contact the electoral officer for several months and I only get voice mail. I refuse to leave voice mail. I have tried her office number and her cell number but I only get voice mail. I tried to get information from the receptionist but she didn’t have any answers for me.

In my previous experience of trying to get information from Mohawk Council of Akwesasne through their access to information policy, the information requested is not always forthcoming.

I have been told by MCA’s lawyers that certain information is privy to their client.

Where is the transparency?

My questions are:

How many members are on the voters list in each district?

How many members do we have in total?

When are deceased members going to be removed from the voters list?

What is the next step to creating a more transparent community government? It is supposed to be a government for the people but it is not always in the best interests of the Onkwehonwe that make up the Mohawks of Akwesasne.

Beverly Pyke