Joint Update on Education

11/01/2012

The Kahnawake Combined Schools Committee (KCSC) and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wish to update the community on the continued progress to work jointly in addressing several issues regarding the Kahnawà:ke education system. The MCK-KCSC Working Group meets on a regular basis and includes representation from both the KCSC and MCK, and is Co-Chaired by Treena Delisle and Rhonda Kirby. Recent meetings have focused on preparing for a Community General Assembly on Education and further development of a joint workplan.

The MCK has identified Chief Rhonda Kirby and Chief Robert Patton as the representatives to the KCSC. They will be responsible for liaising between the MCK and KCSC in education related matters aside from the continued joint work of the MCK-KCSC working group.

The KCSC has taken actions to confirm and/or select representation on the KCSC. This includes the completed confirmation/selection of in-school representatives to the KCSC from Karonhianónhnha, Kateri, and Kahnawa:ke Survival School’s. Requests for representation from Mohawk Trail Longhouse have been submitted and are awaiting a response. Lastly, confirmation and/or election for the four (4) general seats on the KCSC will be addressed at the Community General Assembly on Education.

As announced in the October 19th MCK-KCSC Joint Statement, the Community General Assembly on Education has been called for Wednesday, 7, Kentenhkó:wa/November 2012. The Assembly will be held at the Karonhianónhnha School gymnasium at 6:00pm. The agenda is attached to this news release and promotion of the Assembly will occur throughout the week. All community members, parents and guardians are encouraged to attend this Assembly. Parents/guardians will be asked to vote on important issues, including KCSC representation.

The Assembly will be asked to confirm the status of the current General Seat Representatives through a closed ballot vote. Should any vacancies result from the vote, then a nomination and elections process will take place. Work to formalize this voting process is undergoing finalization and will be publicly posted and distributed to all parents and/or legal guardians.

As work of the MCK-KCSC Working Group continues to progress, a regular weekly update will be released to ensure all Kahnawa’kehró:non are kept informed of activities. Please visit www.kahnawake.com and/or www.kec.qc.com regularly to stay informed.