Consensus finally reached on Definition of Kanien’kehá:ka Great Grandparent at Membership Law Hearing

6/15/2016

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) wishes to inform the community that consensus was reached on the Definition of ‘Kanien’kehá:ka Great Grandparent’ at last evening’s meeting on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law.

With the agreement that the word Sha’teienekwenhsí:hen’ would be defined as ‘Used for male or female, meaning he or she is made up of half Onkwehonwe lineage and half of another culture,’ the Definition was finalized. During the course of the five previous meetings (June 14 being the 6th) there had been much discussion regarding the possibility of using ‘blood quantum’ to help define the word, but that was clearly rejected last evening and the issue has been put to rest. Consensus was clear, with only one person choosing to object.

Much time was spent explaining the origins of Sha’teienekwenhsí:hen,’ which does not actually appear in the current law but was used to create the Definition of Kanien’kehá:ka Great Grandparent. With the consensus, the goal of providing the Definition with more clarity was achieved.

Last evening’s meeting was the 14th in this First Hearing phase of the Community Decision Making Process. Please note that meetings for proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law are now on summer hiatus. The law is available for viewing at the KLCC website at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com .