MCK issues statement re: tobacco protest

05/31/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it has addressed concerns by a number of people who gathered at the MCK offices to protest the arrest of two people who had turned themselves in to the Peacekeepers as a result of a request from Montreal Police.

The Peacekeepers have issued a clarification regarding the situation and have reiterated that they do not make arrests or carry out warrants in regard to tobacco. The situation that occurred today was a result of people choosing to turn themselves in for processing, rather than being subjected to an arrest warrant being issued.

Chief & Council wish to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non regarding their position on the tobacco industry. While the MCK has been clear about its support for the industry, its position has been consistent in that there is also a need for regulations. A group of industry people with assistance from the MCK has been working together on draft regulations but these have not yet been submitted for community ratification.

“As we are obviously on the same page, we are hopeful that the work on the draft regulations is completed soon,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “We hope that we can create regulations in a collaborative manner that will allow us to stand together to both promote and defend our jurisdiction. If we can put aside our differences and work together, there is nothing we can’t do.”