MCK approves exchange with private land owner

04/24/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) would like to inform Kahnawakehr�non that it has formally accepted an offer from a private land owner to exchange approximately 45 acres< of common land.

The private owner, Derek White, proposed a one-for-one exchange of lands he owns near Lot 106 (the housing development in the �South Texas� area) for lands adjacent to the Chateauguay border in the �Jurassic Park� area. To clarify further, this is to the west of the new golf course being built in the area near Route 138.

�We agreed to this exchange because the land that the community will receive is adjacent to the Lot 106 common lands, which are designated for housing� said Lands Portfolio Chief Clinton Phillips. �The land is located between five other major parcels of common lands which will create a large network and may open some other landlocked lands in the immediate area. It�s very much a win-win scenario.�

�For environmental purposes, the stand of older pines in the �Jurassic Park� area was not included in the exchange,� he clarified. �This area remains as community land and will be protected from development.�

After due diligence and the recommendation of the MCK Lands Unit, the motion to accept was passed at the Council Meeting of 22 Oneraht�kha/April. Eleven Council chiefs supported the motion, with Chief Lloyd Phillips objecting on principle, indicating he is in favor of land exchanges in which the community receives a better ratio than one-to-one.