As of 5P.M. on Friday, January 6, 2023 – Power Has Not Been Restored

Portions of Northern Akwesasne have experienced power outages over the past several weeks. On Thursday, December 22, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe issued an advisory to prepare ahead for a winter storm and flash freeze. The storm indeed hit Akwesasne resulting in a power outage which lasted from Friday, December 23 until Saturday evening for many residents located in Kana:takon and Tsi Snaihne.

Kana:takon School and Tsi Snaihne School opened immediately as a warming shelter, with Tsi Snaihne closing soon after due to technical difficulties. Residents were asked to bring blankets and food during their stay. On Saturday, December 24, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe opened the doors to their Seniors Center as a warming shelter. By this time, Kana:takon School and the Akwesasne Mohawk School remained open as a warming shelter and providing heat and food.

Power was restored on Saturday, December 24 in the late afternoon, only to be placed in darkness nearly two weeks later, Thursday, January 5th, 2023. On January 6th, 2023, Hydro Quebec provided an update stating power was expected to be restored by 12:30 P.M. They provided another update soon after stating power would be restored at 5pm.

As of Friday, January 6, 2023, MCA provided this update:

The following are the latest updates we have regarding the ongoing power outage:

• The most recent update from Hydro Quebec is an estimated 5 p.m. for power restoration. Please keep in mind the estimates have changed frequently and prepare for a longer outage.

• MCA & the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education will be delivering meals to all elders in the Quebec districts this afternoon/early evening. The organization is also highly concerned with the food loss experienced by community members, and a plan to help recoup the cost of food loss is being made. This will be announced at a later date. If you have an emergency need for food, please contact 613-575-2340.

• Akwesasne Mohawk Police have been conducting door knocks to elders and vulnerable individuals. They will now be expanding this practice and will conduct door knocks at all residences throughout the districts of Kana:takon and Tsi Snaihne to ensure the wellness of community members. Please do not be alarmed by the police presence.

• The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Office for the Aging Senior’s Centre is currently open as a warming shelter for ALL ages. Lunch is being provided. MCA is working to determine which facilities will be used as warming shelters this evening, should they be necessary. Overnight shelter accommodations have been provided to vulnerable individuals/families and further planning is underway. If you need transportation to a warming shelter, AMPS can provide regular van transportation, and the DOH can provide transportation via their medical transport van. Please contact 613-575-2340 to arrange pickup.

• The Dept. of Health and Dept. of Community & Social Services has continued to check on clients and will continue to do so. Please be assured that those in need due to medical reasons have been prioritized and accommodated.

• Mohawk Government is in the process of locating pet kennels for individuals to house their pets and find warm shelter for themselves. Turtle’s Nest (the former Wolf Clan) is offering discounted hotel rooms and can accommodate pets as well. Elders are of priority at that location.

• As a reminder, the use of carbon monoxide detectors is vital during power outages, not only due to generator use but also during the use of alternate heating sources. Carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Please ensure you are using one and check with family and friends to remind them as well. Generators should only be used when they are at least 20 feet from the house.

MCA’s team will continue to meet and provide updates as needed. Your wellness, health and safety are of our highest priority. If you have an emergency, please contact Central Dispatch 613-575-2000.

On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 1P.M. on CKON’s Tetewatha:ren Talk Show, Grand Chief Abram Benedict provided the latest power outage update to listeners. Benedict said he had spoken to the Director of Indigenous Relations in Québec as well as all program directors, the AMPS, and other programs and services. He’s also spoken to the mayor of Dundee, who is without power. All sources of electricity come via Dundee electrical power wires.

Hydro Quebec reported outages were caused by trees breaking, heavy ice on lines and trees. Upgrades had been planned but shelved during the pandemic.

Benedict stated, “This is not acceptable.”

If power is not restored by 5P.M. om Friday, MCA will assess the situation and possibly provide additional hotel rooms for our elderly and vulnerable families and individuals.

Benedict noted members of the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department (HAVFD) for working over 30 hours nonstop, assisting community members and making sure they are safe. It was mentioned flooded basements are not considered an emergency.

During the talk show, Benedict spoke of long-term planning and sustainability. As Québec Hydro has been and remains an ongoing challenge.

He stated, “Longer outages will compromise the safety of our community… I will tell you; we will be looking at other alternate ways whether it be interconnections, whether it be some sort of backup systems. This is something that I know we’ve heard lots of in the past couple years. The pandemic has not helped.”

He went on to say, “I can assure you we will be looking at what those sustainability options are for our community. It is very challenging, there are about 5 electrical power grids within a ten-kilometer radius with five different rates. Right within our community, one home may have power and across the road – no power – this is not acceptable.”

Benedict stated, “I can assure you that we will be looking at what is available. We will be working with people who work within electrical systems, who are professionals to look at some of these options.”

Clearly this weather is a direct result of climate change with stronger winds, heavier rains, more snow and extreme changes in the weather.

Benedict said, “We learn from these experiences. We need to mitigate how long these power outages are.”

He thanked the many individuals working hard to keep Akwesasronon safe, warm and fed. He expressed thanks to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the HAVFD, MCA District Chiefs, and the many local businesses assisting during this difficult time.

In the immediate, MCA is focused on keeping Akwesasronon safe, warm and fed. In the immediate aftermath of these outages, MCA will assess what needs are being met, what needs were overlooked and how can MCA assist affected community residents recoup lost appliances, food, and provide generators to residents of affected areas.

As of 7P.M. on January 6, the power outage continued. Grand Chief Benedict returned on air - CKON Radio to announce the St. Regis Mohawk School is open as a warming shelter. The Red Cross is assisting at the school. The Kawehnoke Recreation Center located on the island, is also open as a warming shelter.

According to Hydro Quebec, power is expected to be restored at 10:30P.M.

If you need assistance or transportation to a warming shelter, please contact 613-575-2340.

If you have an emergency, please contact Central Dispatch 613-575-2000.

Power was restored at approximately 7:30P.M.