KAHNAWÀ:KE PEACEKEEPERS THWART MIKINAK FRAUD

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) released information recently stating that the Kahnawake Peacekeepers thwarted a fraudulent transaction on Thursday, October 27, 2016 involving the attempted use of a ‘Mikinak band card’ to avoid paying taxes by having a vehicle delivered to the Territory.

The Peacekeepers have confirmed that they received a call at 12:54pm in regard to a vehicle being dropped off at a business on Highway 132. Upon arrival, the Peacekeeper discovered that the person receiving the vehicle produced the invalid identification. The person was informed that if he took possession of the vehicle, he would be charged with fraud. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to charge the taxes.

The local business was not implicated in the incident.

“These people are becoming bolder by the day,” said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “We commend the community members for their vigilance in this matter. The Mikinak situation is causing problems that are affecting rights that belong to us – not these pretenders.”

In the meantime, the MCK has been informed by Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett’s office that Guillaume Carle and Mikinak ‘Chief’ Lise Brisebois have been sent a letters and that actions are being contemplated. The Minister has indicated a willingness to work with the MCK to address the ongoing issues related to the Mikinaks, the self-proclaimed “native’ community that has been established near Beauharnois.

As a final note, Natives from other communities who hold a valid status card are permitted to take delivery of items purchased off-reserve. Regardless, community members are always encouraged to maintain vigilance in these matters and are urged to contact the Peacekeepers immediately if they suspect fraudulent activities are taking place.

“It has been suggested that any such legitimate deliveries (to other Natives) should take place at the Peacekeepers station only to help avoid issues such as that which occurred yesterday,” said Ietsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “That’s something that I’m certain we can all agree on.”