Mohawk Council of Akwesasne October General Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 6pm with Grand Chief Abram Benedict as chairperson. Entewatathá:wi and the Proposed Alternative Station for Kawehnoke presenting. Updates were given on Canada 150 Funding, Housing Funding, and Land Claims.

Peter Garrow presented on behalf of Entewatathá:wi, Self-Government Process. He reviewed a timeline dating from 1600’s to present day and significant events in our history from the Two Row Wampum to the Indian Act to Indigenous Affairs and Northern Affairs Canada creating two separate departments. Garrow explained how the Indian Act presently controls 73%, in comparison of Akwesasne controlling 83% through self-government. The Akwesasne Governance Code, Governance & Relationship Agreement, Sectoral Agreement, the Akwesasne Land Code & Land Law and the Fiscal Relationship Agreement all need to be ratified and come into force at the same time. Entewatathá:wi has held numerous community meetings in all three districts. Their last community meeting was held on Monday, October 30, 2017 at the Ànowaràkowa Arena. Future meetings will be announced.

Proposed Alternative Station on Kawehnoke. A proposed alternative reporting station is in the planning stages. This is to present an alternate presorting option to address the reporting requirement challenges currently experienced by community members traveling to Kawehnoke from the United States. In partnership with MCA, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) are working on an alternate reporting solution to lessen travel and waiting time for all Mohawks of Akwesasne (as identified under the Indian Act). This is still in the planning stages with proposed concepts plans drawn, proposed registration process and then implementation. The primary alternate reporting station would be located on Kawehnoke, south of the crossroads and secondary reporting, if needed would take place at the CBSA station. Once a plan, a design and a readable identification card is agreed upon it would take eighteen to twenty four months to implement in stages.

Update – Canada 150 Funding. Thompson Island Youth Camp was awarded $298,292 from the Canada 150 fund. Quebec awarded $82,338 and MCA contributed $42,292 to Thompson Island Youth Camp. A detailed and comprehensive plan of all construction and improvements and extensions was given shared. No new structures were included in this plan.

Update – Housing Funding. Currently a members of the Mohawks of Akwesasne have two options for building – a new construction loan from MCA for a maximum loan of $136,000, a Bank of Montreal On Reserve Program loan for a maximum of $150,000, a renovation loan for an existing structure for $12,000 (max), a repair loan for $8,000 (max) or a maintenance loan for $1500 (max). Elders may be eligible for a one-time allocation of $5000. Presently, the waiting time for a MCA Housing loan is five (5) years and for a BMO housing loan is three (3) years. Theoretically, while waiting for your housing loan, the community members are expected to prepare the site, install a proper driveway, and connect electricity and water. For future development, MCA is planning ten (10) rent-to-own homes and a twenty (20) unit elder apartment building on Point Road in Tsi Snaihne.

Update – Land Claims. A review of the current land claim updates was compiled by the Aboriginal Rights and Research Office and presented by Council for Akwesasne community members.

Discussion on Jury Duty. An open discussion took place to address the disproportionate number of Mohawks in the provincial and federal court systems that are placed in front of a jury that is disproportionally non-native. Any jury duty by Akwesasne community members is entirely on a volunteer basis. Despite the number of people who are opposed to this idea, a number of residents spoke in favor of this.

Business from the Floor. A community member brought her concerns about the safety of young children being hurt on AMBE school grounds and the failure of the schools notifying parents in a timely manner. MCA will follow up on this.

Tsi Snaihne – Wednesday, November 8th

Kawehno:ke – Wednesday, November 13th

Kana:takon – Monday, November 20th

Next General Meeting is on Thursday, November 23, 2017 in Kana:takon, at the St. Regis Recreation Center.