Akwesasne Oien:kwa Kaianerenhesera

MCA held a series of informational meeting on the proposed Akwesasne Oien:kwa Kaianerenhesera (Akwesasne Tobacco Law), those meetings were held on Wednesday, June 1 at the Tsi Snaihne Homemakers building, on Saturday, June 4 at the Kawehnoke Tri-District Elders building and on Tuesday, June 7 in Kana:takon at the Kanonhkwatsheri:io building. They also held meetings with families and individuals.

The MCA Tobacco Law is nearing the end of the long process writing of the law. Starting in 2005 to 2015; MCA Council accepts the law in concept, then community consultations start, next mailing MCA mails the law to community members, then meeting with all three districts and focus groups meeting and accepting written comments on the tobacco law. During these meetings, the community gave a vital input to the direction the law would take. Once completed, MCA re-mailed the Tobacco Law that included community consultations comments. At this time, the Tobacco Law is given a secondary legal review. Provincial, federal and regulations from the Center for Disease Control were reviewed.

The purpose of this proposed law is to regulate the growing, manufacturing, distribution and retail sale of tobacco products on Akwesasne Lands, facilitate trade between First Nations, Indian Tribes and other recognized indigenous people, enhance the overall development for the community of Akwesasne, and to protect the overall well-being of its young members concerning tobacco use. With this law, the goal is to improve the image of Akwesasne by producing and distributing a quality tobacco product.

During the community district meetings, members were given in-depth review of the proposed tobacco law from the Preamble, the introductory explanation of why, the Purpose and each section was given time for review. The proposed Tobacco law covers; Stamping Agents, Community Responsibility, Akwesasne Licensing Commission, Licenses, Manufacturer’s License, Vendors License and Retail Sales, Wholesalers License, Enforcement, Offences, Adjudication, Appeal, Law Enactment and Amendments.

MCA is precluded from obtaining a tobacco license. From the series of consultations some terms were changed to be made clearer, modified or removed entirely.

For example;

“the term sacred tobacco means oien’kwaon:we, commonly known as tobacco of the species Nicotiana rustica and any other species of tobacco used for prayer and ceremonial purposes;

There was an existing definition that was modified based on community consultation, which requested to remove reference to “…according to local cultural protocol.’

Therefore, “Nothing in this Law will regulate, govern or administer the growing, cultivation, possession or individual use of Sacred Tobacco.”

MCA met or exceeded provincial and federal regulations in regards to tobacco regulations. In nearing the end of this process is the voting you can vote online, in person or by phone:

Online at http://www.akewesasne.simplyvoting.cam Online voting will open now and will close on June 10, 2016 at 11:59pm.

Toll-free phone call at 1- 877-271-2110 by June 10, 2016 at 11:59pm.

The referendum to enact the Akwesasne Oien:kwa Kaianerenhesera (Akwesasne Tobacco Law) will be conducted through referendum polling stations on June 11, 2016 from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the following locations.

Kawehnoke – Kawehnoke Community Center

Tsi Snaihne - Homemakers Building

Kana:takon - Kana:takon Child Care Center

Voting is open to all members of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, regardless of where you reside.