Revised Membership law enacted, MCK signs Confirmation of the Will of the People

07/03/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the amendments to the Kanien�keh�:ka of Kahnaw�:ke Law (formerly the Kahnaw�:ke Membership Law) were enacted today at a duly-convened Council meeting.

Chief & Council signed the Confirmation of the Will of the People via a Mohawk Council Resolution this morning to officially enact the revised law. This took place one week after the Community Decision Making Process was completed last Tuesday, completing five-and-a-half years of discussion, debate and deciding the best way forward.

The Mohawk Council resolution, #1/2018-2019, was passed unanimously by the ten (10) Ratits�nhaienhs present. Absent were Nits�nhaiehns Christine Zachary-Deom and Carl Horn.

�We must congratulate everyone concerned for their patience and diligence,� stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. �There has been an incredible amount of work done to ensure that the amendments truly reflect the wishes of the people of Kahnaw�:ke. Over the course of the past several years hundreds of people participated in the various meetings to have their voices heard.�

The amendments do not deal directly with the issues of Residency � the sections that deal with that issue have been separated into the proposed Kahnaw�:ke Residency Law, which is currently posted on the Kahnaw�:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission website at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com for Community Feedback.

The next steps for implementation include developing a Communications Plan; drafting and approval of Regulations; approval for a Budget for the Office of the Kanien�keh�:ka of Kahnaw�:ke Registry; and the hiring of a new Registrar. Once these steps are completed, it is anticipated that the Applications for Recognition as Members on the Kanien�keh�:ka of Kahnaw�:ke Registry could begin in the fall of 2018.