Consensus reached on final three Membership Law amendments – Mandate to draft received

05/22/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that consensus was reached last night on the final three points to Section 20.1 for ‘Suspension of a Member’ at the 18th Community Consultation on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law. Approximately 21 community members were in attendance.

Consensus was reached on changes that "A member residing in the Territory can be suspended for cohabiting in a conjugal relationship (after one month), or in a common-law relationship (after one month), or a marriage (immediately) with a non-Indigenous person. Also, if a member allows a non-Indigenous person to reside on their property.

“It was a productive meeting with a lot of meaningful dialogue,” said portfolio chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “People were willing to come to consensus, even if they couldn’t one hundred percent agree, they could live with it because that is what the majority felt was best for the community.”

Additionally, a mandate to proceed with the proposed amendments was received. A team, which will include community representatives and an alternate, will now begin the technical drafting process of the Membership Law amendments.

The Community Representatives chosen last night are: • Jeremiah Johnson • Ramona Stacey Decaire • Arlene Jacobs • Caroline Charles (alternate)

Once completed, the draft will be available to the community for a 30 day review period prior to the next community consultation and readings.