Mohawk Council of Akwesasne September General Meeting

1. Called to Order by Chairperson and Grand Chief, Abram Benedict.

Council Attendance District Chief Troy Thompson and District Chief Dennis Chaussi were absent.

Moment of Silence: Out of respect and memory – a moment of silence was held for those who have passed on.

2. Council Agenda Update

3. Rules of Order were read by Grand Chief Abram Benedict.

4. Follow Up

Action Items presented were: safety of the Akwesasne Mohawk School playground equipment (checked and updated), work permits, housing application process, and a request for the Natural gas pipeline route was made available to a community member.

5. Presentation – Tobacco Pilot Project

James Ransom, Tehotiiennawakon Director, gave the Akwesasne Tobacco Program Proposal presentation.

Ransom stated in present and current situation, “It’s not working. Businesses can’t sell their quota.”

Akwesasne participates in the Ontario First Nation Quota Allocation System allocating 145, 949 cartons for 2017 – 2018, selling only 39,000 cartons. These sales generate $198,000 in revenue for MCA, which is allocated for the Ànowaràkowa Arena.

Five local Akwesasne vendors cannot sell their quota of cigarettes. Local vendors are presented with a number of challenges, the double passage through the tollbooth, CBSA port of entry, and sales of cigarettes to non-natives are forbidden as well as most Mohawks do not like Canadian cigarettes.

Ransom stated the Tobacco Pilot Project would change the relationship with Ontario on tobacco; recognize our right to self-determination (referring to UNDRIP) and the recognition of the right to trade tobacco. In the Ontario Tobacco Revenue Sharing Proposal First Nations would develop a tobacco regulatory regime, the province would recognize it and will share a portion of overall provincial tobacco tax revenues and Akwesasne’s share would be $7.2 million annually.

First Nations would need to develop a tobacco regulatory regime and establish a minimum price on tobacco sales on reserve, the Province would need to recognize it and to leave it alone, and the Province would share a portion of the overall provincial tobacco tax revenues.

According to Ransom, this offer is unprecedented in Canada for tobacco and Ontario would recognize First Nation jurisdiction over tobacco in-reserve and First Nations would keep own-source revenue without interference from Ontario. He mentioned that time is limited and we must act on this soon or the offer or possibility of this will not exist.

To accomplish this, MCA would be required to increase the royalty on existing vendors to $15 per carton and subsidize them at $10 per carton, get Ontario to legalize sales to non-natives and have CBSA leave customers alone in regards to their cigarette purchases. As well as; open a store on Hamilton Island; increase the royalty charge to $25

Community residents voiced their concerns, including the ability of existing vendors survivability, student interns who would like to take the opportunity but not in tobacco sales, the overall national decline in tobacco sales since 1981, data showing local sales before 2010.

6. Update – Akwesasne Election Law

Chelsea Francis presented on the Akwesasne Election Law. The Working Task Group consists of Joyce King, Executive Director - Jordan Wapass, Director of Justice Department - Joyce King, Government Support Manager - Chelsea Francis, Chief Electoral Officer (Ex-Officio) - Leona Benedict, District of Kawehnoke (Ex-Officio) - Chief Louise Thompson, District of Kanatakon (Ex-Officio) - Chief Ryan Jacobs, District of Tsi Snaihne (Ex-Officio)- Chief Connie Lazore.

The final meeting will take place on October 7, 2017. Community residents voiced concern over who is on the Working Task Group and how it fails to have community representation. She stated they are following the current laws and hopes to get more input from the community to makes changes that reflect the needs of Akwesasne.

7. Update – Hydro One Equity Participation

In a review of previous Hydro One presentations, MCA would buy 14 million shares over a 25-year loan; this offer was made to certain First Nations. Overall, 106 First Nations need to agree for this to proceed and for it to be viable. MCA is on board.

8. Update – Northern Border Summit

In a review of the Northern Border Summit on August 21, 2017, District Chief Steve Thomas stated 19 First Nations share the same concerns and issues as Akwesasne, some in more severe situations. There are several issues, the main issue is crossing daily, required and/or requested work documents of Akwesasronon, recognition of the Jay Treaty, the issuance of ‘green cards’ to Akwesasronon, NAFTA, and the current political situation in Washington DC which is decidedly unfavorable to Native Americans/First Nations. MCA is working on a ‘Pre-Clearance’ agreement and a framework for electronic reporting, as well as continue to work on moving the location of the Canadian Customs to the American side. They will continue to gather information.

Community members stated concerns on providing a more readable, secure status card, the problems crossing on and living on Kawehnoke, and how to improve business and relations with Cornwall. Grand Chief Benedict stated this is a priority of Council and they will continue to update the community.

9. Discussion – Cannabis Legislation

In 2000, Canada became one of the first countries in the world to rule that its citizens have a right to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. In 2013, the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations passed, overriding the previous medical marijuana legislation. In February 2016, a federal court judge ruled that it is a constitutional right for medical marijuana patients to be allowed to grow their own cannabis. This allows patients to control the strains and doses needed for their treatment. In 2018 Canada will propose the Cannabis Act, which would create a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada. In Ontario, medical marijuana is legal in all of Canada with a qualifying medical condition and prescription from a licensed doctor. Recreational marijuana is not legal.

A lengthy discussion ensued with community members. Discussions included the possibility of growing medical marijuana, dispensing it, and some voiced strong opposition to any of this in Akwesasne. A former Akwesasne resident shared their experience in growing and selling legal cannabis in Michigan. It was noted, if MCA, with community consultation, pursues the tightly regulated and controlled cannabis business it may prove to be very profitable. MCA has a identified a Working Group to continue to look into this.

10. Business from the Floor

A community resident asked if a bike path would be included in any plans this spring. Questions were asked about road improvements, 1.6 million will go to improvements on River Road which includes Wade Lafrance Road. An update will be given at next month’s General Meeting.

A community member stated his water contains sulfur and requested additional water for home use. Water will be provided and access to the water line will be looked into. Some areas in Akwesasne have been working on this for 12 years or more, with final permission needed by property owners.

11. Resolutions were read.

12. Announcements

Tsi Snaihne Meeting – Tsi Snaihne Recreation Center, Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Kana:takon – St. Regis Recreation Center, Monday, October 16, 2017

Kawehno:ke – Kawehnoke Recreation Center, Monday, October 23, 2017

The next MCA General Meeting is Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Kawehno:ke Recreation Center. All meetings start at 6pm.

13. Adjournment