Chief Johnny Montour to step down in 2011

10/07/2010

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke announced today that Johnny Montour will step down from his position as elected Council Chief in 2011. The current term is scheduled to end in July, 2012.

He is stepping down for health reasons, though he wishes to make clear that he is not suffering from any type of terminal illness.

He has informed Chief & Council that he will leave office by June 2011, though it is possible that he may actually leave earlier.

He will continue his duties, which include Quebec/Kahnawà:ke Relations, the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis, and Third Party Relations (such as Hydro Québec and the Canadian Pacific Railway). However, he has relinquished his seat on the Finance, Administration and Operations Committee.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me through my seven terms,” said Chief Montour. “It’s been an honor to serve the community. I sincerely hope that some young and energetic people will step up and throw their hats into the political ring – it’s too important a time in our history to assume that the political work will just get done on its own.”

Chief Montour was first elected in 1984, serving two consecutive terms. He also successfully ran for office in 1994 (two more terms) and again in 2004, 2006 and 2009.