Mikinak issues persist, community vigilence remains important

07/04/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to remind the community that incidents regarding persons attempting to have vehicles or goods delivered tax-free to the Territory using �Mikinak� cards continue to occur and that Kahnawa�kehr�:non are being asked to continue to remain vigilant in the matter.

Several such deliveries have been intercepted over the past several months due to community members keeping a watchful eye � the most recent taking place last week.

Community members are reminded that all vehicle deliveries should take place at the Peacekeepers station in order for proper verification. While it is legal for legally-registered Indigenous persons to use Kahnaw�:ke as a delivery point, under no circumstances are fraudulent transactions, such as the use of the so-called �Mikinak Cards,� permitted. Anyone witnessing suspicious activity is asked to contact the Peacekeepers immediately with information on location, description of vehicles and license plate numbers. Do not engage with the persons.

�We have been working with the various agencies to address this continuing problem,� said Rats�nhaienhs Billy Diabo, who has been working on the file on behalf of the MCK. �The problem isn�t confined to Kahnaw�:ke. We�ve had reports of the same thing happening in Kanesatake and, on at least one occasion, in Tiower�:ton. Persons have tried to cross the border using the Mikinak cards. The Canadian Border Services Agency has informed us that they have confiscated several cards.�

Rats�nhaienhs Diabo says the issue continues to have negative impacts on Kahnaw�:ke.

�Kahnaw�:ke has an agreement with Quebec for provincial tax exemption in this region,� he explained. �Many of the Mikinaks claiming tax-free status are rude or belligerent with retail staff, which ends up causing problems for our people. But we�re working to address these problems and I�m happy to report that the federal government has contracted the KPMG company to conduct an investigation in the matter. They are tax experts and should be able to provide some interesting information in the near future.�

If anyone witnesses the use, or attempted use, of the Mikinak cards at a store or retailer please note the time, date and location and inform Rats�nhaienhs Diabo at 450-632-7500.