MCK proposes using Akwesasne draft law as �starting point� to counter Canada�s S-2 legislation

09/12/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) announced today that it will propose using draft legislation from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne as a �starting point� to counter Canada�s S-2 legislation. The Federal legislation received Royal Assent on 19, Ohiar�:ha/June and S-2 will come into force one year from that date unless First Nations have their own laws in place.

The Kahnaw�:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) accepted a request from the MCK to use the �Urgent Law-Making Process� in the Community Decision Making Process to counter the Federal Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act (S-2). The KLCC assigned the date of Wednesday, 25 Seskehk�:wa/September, at which time the community will be asked for a mandate to proceed with a Kahnaw�:ke law.

Chief Lloyd Phillips met with representatives from Akwesasne on Friday, 6 Seskehk�:wa/
September, where it was agreed that the MCK could use the Akwesasne draft, which is known as the �Couples Property� Law.

�We will make the draft available before the end of this week,� said Chief Phillips. �We appreciate that Akwesasne was so willing to meet and share their documents with us. This will make things much easier, as we won�t have to start from scratch to develop our law � should the community wish to proceed in that direction.�

The September 25th Community Hearing will be held from 6pm until 8:30pm at the Karonhian�nhnha School gymnasium.