Kahnawà:ke Library Building to be Demolished

KAHNAWAKE – The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it has approved the demolition of the Skawenni:io Tsi Iewennahnotáhkhwa Kahnawà:ke Library building at Monday's duly convened Council Meeting.

In July 2024, the MCK's Organizational Development Unit (ODU) staff, who occupy second-floor office space, notified both MCK's Asset Management and Public Safety Division of visual indications that the building was once again shifting. The Public Safety Division and Occupational Health and Safety Inspectors conducted a joint inspection with the Asset Management Architectural Technician, at which time, staff that work in the building were instructed to immediately vacate the building, which has since been closed to the public.

It has been confirmed that the building is sinking, with areas of the exterior foundation and some interior column footings having shifted as much as one (1) inch compared to elevations recorded in the Spring of this year. The original portion of the building was built in the early 1900’s, and there have been two additions that are believed to have been more recently constructed without the services of a licensed Architect or an Engineer.

Costs to identify and correct the structural deficiencies are estimated at more than $500,000, and would take over two years to undertake, leaving the building closed for at least that amount of time. Those repairs do not include bringing the building up to code, with proper building standards to accommodate a library and the additional weight of housing that many books. Therefore, it was recommended that the building be approved for demolition.

“The building has seen various uses by the community. Originally built as the first MCK Office, it has also housed the Mohawk Recreation Association, the Kahnawake Education Center, and most recently the library,” said Ratsénhaienhs Arnold Boyer, Portfolio Lead on Infrastructure, Transport, and Operations. “While the building has been a cornerstone of the community, the decision to demolish it was ultimately in everyone’s best interests, given the costs to repair and retrofit as a suitable location for a library, and the amount of time those repairs would take.”

“The MCK remains dedicated to supporting the Skawenni:io Tsi Iewennahnotáhkhwa Kahnawà:ke Library as an essential grassroots community organization,” said Education Portfolio Lead Jeffrey Diabo. “Going forward we will be actively involved in providing a temporary and ultimately a more permanent facility for this valuable community resource.”

Currently the ODU staff are working out of the main MCK Building, and Library staff have been relocated to the Kahnawà:ke Labor Office, across the street from the library. Further information on a temporary library location will be provided when it becomes available.