Membership Law Community Consultation results

06/07/2013

The Kahnaw�:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission would like to update Kahnawa�kehr�:non on last evening�s 10th Community Consultation for amendments to the Kahnaw�:ke Membership Law. Approximately twenty community members and several observers were in attendance. Because of lower numbers, participants agreed to combine Groups 1 and 2, with Group 3 remaining intact.

Groups 1 and 2 presented their response to Group 3�s request for comment and position on their proposal/suggestion to consider applicants who have three Mohawk great-grandparents under certain circumstances. Groups 1 and 2 reiterated the position that the four great-grandparent requirement be retained and rejected the request to change the requirement to three great-grandparents with a clan (due to logistical concerns).  

Group 3 then came to consensus and agreed with several positions presented by the other groups. These included a number of positions put forth at earlier meetings, including agreement that children of a Mohawk parent and another verified Iroquoian parent should be eligible for automatic enrollment; that those who clearly meet the four great-grandparent requirement should be enrolled by the Membership Registrar; and that certain requirements currently in the Law regarding language, culture and �maintaining ties with the community� be removed and that, instead, these requirements be inserted into a preamble (due to unenforceability).

This consensus allowed the groups to move forward to discuss specific amendments to clarify the definition of �what constitutes a Mohawk great-grandparent.� That process has begun and will be the topic of the next Consultation, to be held on 19 Ohiar�:ha/June.  Another Consultation will be held the following week (26, Ohiar�:ha/June). Both are Wednesdays, and both will be held at the Karonhian�nhnha School Gymnasium. These will be the final Consultations for the summer.

The official minutes will be posted at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com early next week.