Chief Johnny Montour sets date for retirement

05/25/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke has announced that Chief Johnny Montour will formally step down from his position as an elected Chief on Thursday, 7 Ohiari’kó:wa/July.

He was first elected in 1984 and served two consecutive terms. He was also elected in 1994 and, once again, served two terms. He was subsequently elected in 2004, 2006 and 2009.

There will be no by-election to fill his position. According to the Kahnawake Elections Law, there is no need to call for an election for a vacancy if there is less than one calendar year remaining in the current term. The next election is expected to be held in early July 2012.

Chief Montour had earlier announced he was stepping down due to health concerns, though he wished to make it clear to the community that it is not a life-threatening condition.