MCA Hosts First General Meeting in 2019

By: Jaclyn Hall

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s elected officials hosted their first meeting of the year. The meeting was originally set for the January 24th, but due to the winter weather, it had to be postponed. The meeting was rescheduled to January 31st, at the St. Regis Recreation.

The General Meeting began at approximately 6:00 pm, with Grand Chief Abram Benedict calling the meeting to order then beginning with council attendance and announcing absences. Following was a moment of silence, in respect of the many community members who have passed away in the last month.

Next on the agenda was the agenda acceptance, following with the “Rules of Order”.

Next on the agenda was an update on the action items from the prior General Meeting in November 2018.

A community member requested as an action item to have the Lawyer R. Pratt and the financial advisor back to the community for another meeting to ask questions.

Update: Completed – On November 26th, 2018 Aboriginal Rights and Research Office held an additional education session for the community at Iohahi:io with the legal and financial representation.

Questions that status of the survey done by Mohawk Council, regarding for a healing lodge in the community as a priority.

Update: Completed – Chief T. Mitchell emailed community members of the Community Comprehensive Plan (CCP) on November 28th, 2018.

Next on the agenda was a presentation on Canada’s Bill S-3 Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship.

Peter Garrow, alongside Dr. Rose-Alma McDonald gave the presentation.

Community is invited to attend the Community Focus Meetings. Three prior metings have been held on January 9th, 16th and 30th. Future meetings will be held. The next one will be held at the St. Regis Recreation on February 6th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from INAC will be present at the February 3rd meeting.

Next on the agenda was an update regarding the Canadian Border Services Agency.

Discussion involving an alternative reporting and a domestic lane for Kawehno:ke residents are taking place. There will be extensive community outreach, with future community meetings.

Questions need to be answered, such as; How will it be approved?

Talks of a card system being incorporated, have been put on hold. Since last year.

There will be a new liaison hired to assist Akwesasne residents.

CBSA has begun a pilot project, using a card machine which can scan NYS licenses and Canadian licenses.

Next on the agenda was an update on Cannabis Regulations.

As of now, interim regulation will be put in place until MCA legislative committee gets approval to develop a cannabis law. In the next few months, the province of Ontario will lay out their regulations. It is estimated that in approximately two weeks it will be finished.

The floor was open for questions, with community members present asking:

Q: In creating this law, is there an MCR being passed, banning MCA’s from benefitting from the Cannabis business?

A: MCA is not developing the law. The Legislative Committee will be developing the law. Keep an eye out for Community Information sessions.

Q: How long will it take to get a license?

A: We are estimating 30-60 days.

Q: There is a public statement made by MCA making it sound like you could take cannabis to Tsi Snaihne or Kanatakon by boat. Will there be a retraction?

A: We can look at what it and see what it says.

Q: As MCA, can you make your own laws?

A: Yes, our intention is to develop regulations. We want to know where the product comes from; is it safe and regulated and not from organized crime.

Q: Will there be tax imposed by MCA?

A: Yes, as the law is developed, there will be a fee. We’re a super conscious that fee could lead owners going the illegal route. We are not going into this to make money.

Next on the agenda was a discussion regarding Bell issues, within the community.

A community member immediately stated that Bell representatives need to be better educated about our area. The history behind the 613-area code needs to be talked about. When residents try to call a representative, they cannot find the location, because of being in Quebec with an Ontario area code. Community members present were asked if they were having issues and/or difficulties with Bell. There was a close to unanimous answer, “Yes”. Community members present brought up personal problems that have had with Bell, further verifying that something needs to get done so Bell can better serve the community.

Next on the agenda was “Business from the Floor”

Community members were invited to ask questions and bring up concerns during this time. A few community members asked questions such as:

Q: Are you aware of MCA employees guiding community members to get a Green Card, to work in the states?

A: The issue with the CDL, individuals using U.S. license; if that individual moves to Canada, their license should be revoked. Since 9/11, they are pressuring us to follow legislation. We have asked SRMT to meet with us to discuss a solution. They need to write a letter stating what their stance is before we can go and deal with it ourselves.

Q: Is there any updates on Caisse Populaire?

A: MCA must decide if they will put funds in an account, to ensure payment to bank.

Q: Will you amend the Election Law?

A: The Election Law will be reviewed this year.

Once all business from the floor was finished, the resolutions to the General Meeting were approved.

Announcements:

The upcoming district meetings will be held – February 11th – Kawehno:ke, February 11th – Tsi Snaihne, February 18th – Kana:takon