Former Deposed District Chief Voted Back In

A former district chief with three ethical conduct charges laid against him; one being dismissed, the second was resolved in mediation and the third resulting in his removal from office has been voted back in by the district of Kawehno:ke.

On December 22, 2018, the community of Kawehno:ke went to the polls to vote Dennis Chaussi back into office as a District Chief. Chaussi received 54 votes in a district that has over 900 eligible voters.

The events leading up to Chaussi’s 2018 dismissal began in March 2017 when Chaussi received a personal message concerning an accident and an MCA employee. Through Chaussi’s actions proceeding the received message, a formal conduct charge was filed which resulted in - according to the court document, ‘Chief Dennis Chaussi did not fulfill his oath of office and conduct himself in a respectfully manner to faithfully, honestly, and conscientiously”, and he did “not conduct himself with integrity and in a manner that will maintain and enhance respect for the Council…”

At the time, Chaussi was “ordered to pay a fine of $1000.00 and that he must formally and publicly apologize to Mr. Kenny Mitchell”.

In a 2018 interview with Chaussi, he stated he would never apologize to the complainant.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Chief Electoral Officer Leona Benedict released the results of the Kawehno:ke District Chief By-Election held on December 22, 2018.

The results below are official:

Dennis Chaussi – 54 Votes

Vanessa Lee Adams – 49 Votes

Allie Oakes McCumber – 26 Votes

Donna Delormier – 21 Votes

Rosemary Square – 21 Votes

Lloyd Benedict Sr. – 12 Votes

Fawn Cole-Leaf - 11 Votes

Robert White – 5 Votes

Victor Martin – 1 Vote

According the Chief Electoral Officer, there were no appeals received by the appeal deadline.