Progress but no consensus at Membership Law Hearing

5/18/2016

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) would like to advise the community on the results of last evening’s meeting on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law.

The Definition of ‘Great Grand Parent’ came closer to conclusion after a pair of motions came from two participants. After about ninety minutes, one motion was withdrawn in support of the second one, which was well-received by the approximately 25 participants.

While consensus was not reached, it should be noted that at several points in the meeting it seemed the group was on the verge of a decision. There are still certain details that will need further discussion at the next meeting in order for this definition to be finalized.

A noteworthy development was the proposal to remove the earlier-proposed ‘50% blood quantum requirement’ and replace it with the term Sha’tehatinekwenhsí:hen, which roughly translated means a person who comes from two cultures in approximately equal measures.

The proposal to include a requirement to hold a clan was deemed unworkable at this time, though it was recommended to include a reference to the importance of clans to our culture in the preamble.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7 Ohiarí:ha/June 2016 from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Golden Age Club. This will be the 13th meeting in this First Hearing phase of the Community Decision Making Process.