Revised ‘Membership’ law enacted, MCK signs Confirmation of the Will of the People

7/03/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the amendments to the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke Law (formerly the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law) were enacted today at a duly-convened Council meeting.

Chief & Council signed the Confirmation of the Will of the People via a Mohawk Council Resolution this morning to officially enact the revised law. This took place one week after the Community Decision Making Process was completed last Tuesday, completing five-and-a-half years of discussion, debate and deciding the best way forward.

The Mohawk Council resolution, #1/2018-2019, was passed unanimously by the ten (10) Ratitsénhaienhs present. Absent were Nitsénhaiehns Christine Zachary-Deom and Carl Horn.

“We must congratulate everyone concerned for their patience and diligence,” stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “There has been an incredible amount of work done to ensure that the amendments truly reflect the wishes of the people of Kahnawà:ke. Over the course of the past several years hundreds of people participated in the various meetings to have their voices heard.”

The amendments do not deal directly with the issues of Residency – the sections that deal with that issue have been separated into the proposed Kahnawà:ke Residency Law, which is currently posted on the Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission website at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com for Community Feedback.

The next steps for implementation include developing a Communications Plan; drafting and approval of Regulations; approval for a Budget for the Office of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke Registry; and the hiring of a new Registrar. Once these steps are completed, it is anticipated that the Applications for Recognition as Members on the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke Registry could begin in the fall of 2018.