Grand Chief�s Speech at Tobacco Hearings Available on Kahnawake.com

06/05/2008

Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hrhon Delisle, Jr., along with several other Mohawk leaders, spoke at the Parliamentary Hearings on Tobacco in Ottawa yesterday.

In his presentation, Chief Delisle condemned the recently-announced 2008 Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy as a document that generalizes that the Mohawks of Kahnaw�:ke, as a group, are linked to gangsterism and organized crime.

He chastised both the Canadian government and the RCMP for failing to consult/discuss this issue with our people, choosing instead to create a plan that could have dire consequences.

�It is my obligation to speak on behalf of the law-abiding, income-earning and family oriented community members who are the majority of Kahnawa�kehr�:non,� said Chief Delisle. �Historically, there was recognition of Kahnaw�:ke�s ability and authority to deal with our people, our land and our laws. It�s time for Canada and Kahnaw�:ke to renew our historic relationship so that solutions to these troubling issues can be harmonized between us.�

Chief Delisle�s speech can be accessed in it�s entirety on the main page at www.kahnawake.com.