MCK signs Declaration on Proposed Casino Project

03/05/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) announced today that Chief & Council have made a formal Declaration on the issue of the proposed Casino Project. The Declaration, signed by 10 of 11 chiefs, includes the following highlights:

1.    Declaration that Chief & Council will adhere to the Five Guiding Principles:
�    The collective will be the prime beneficiary
�    No land slated for housing developments will be used
�    Community members will receive a dividend
�    Social impacts will be address through immediate and effective measures
�    There will be independent community management of all gaming profits

2.    Declaration that Chief & Council will adhere to the following -
�    MCK will not control or be involved in any way with the Casino Project�s management activities or profit distribution
�    A treasury institution will be developed to account for and distribute all casino profits
�    Current and future Council Chiefs while on Council cannot hold any oversight or senior management positions related to the Casino Project, and hereby declare that Council Chiefs will be ineligible to hold any position on the Treasury Board or Casino Board of Directors for a period of at least one (1) year after leaving office
�    The MCK will not compromise any political principles or outstanding political files to secure an agreement on gaming with any outside governments, and pledge to keep any discussions on these issues completely separate from any gaming or casino project  discussions or negotiations

�Chief & Council can and must work for the benefit of the collective,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr.  �By signing this Declaration, we are providing a level of comfort that this is a community project, not an MCK initiative. We are promoting and advocating its benefits but � let�s be clear � should the community say �yes� the MCK will not manage, own or run the casino.�

Copies of the signed Declaration will be available upon request and will also be posted on the website www.kahnawakecasinoproject.com .