Preliminary Consensus reached for portion of Membership Law; next meeting Tuesday, June 14

6/8/2016

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) would like to inform Kahnawa’kehrò:non that preliminary consensus was reached on the term Sha’teienekwenhsi:hen at last evening’s meeting on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law (Note: this word replaced Sha’tehatinekwenhsí:hen, referenced at the previous meeting, which was deemed to be grammatically incorrect). This term will be a component of the Definition of a Kanien’kehá:ka Great Grandparent

Consensus was reached by all participants (with no objections) to submit a draft definition as ‘a person who comes from two cultures in approximately equal measures.’ A motion came from the floor to accept the proposal with the proviso that Sha’teienekwenhsi:hen be further defined as a person with 47% or more blood quantum. Six persons objected to the motion on the basis that they wished to either define Sha’teienekwenhsi:hen as fifty percent or use a fifty percent Kanien’kehá:ka blood quantum requirement. The six were given a final opportunity to speak in order to try convincing the group to change their minds. Two chose to speak but they were not successful in this regard.

While preliminary consensus was declared, it was determined that there are still certain details that will need further discussion in order for this definition to be finalized, including consulting Kanien’kéha speakers on the matter. The draft definition and proposed 47% blood quantum will be the first item on the agenda for the next meeting.

Other agenda items will include Section 15 (Application Process/Approved Kahnawà:ke Residents); Section 16 (Entitlements of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke); Section 17 (Privileges of Approved Kahnawà:ke Residents); Section 18 (Responsibilities of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke) and any relevant or affected Definitions.

The next meeting will be held next Tuesday, 14 Ohiarí:ha/June 2016 from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Golden Age Club. It will be the 14th in this First Hearing phase of the Community Decision Making Process, and will be the final meeting before the summer break. The law is available for viewing at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com.