Justice Act ready for January 2014 Hearings

12/11/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) announced that the Second Draft of proposed legislation that will be a key to creating expanded jurisdiction for the Kahnawà:ke Justice System is now available for a 30-Day Community Feedback period.

This is in preparation for Hearings in January 2014, at which time the new draft will be presented and discussed.

The original mandate to proceed with a Kahnawà:ke Justice System was given by the community on January 3, 2009, after meetings that began in September 2008. It was the first legislation to use the Community Decision Making Process, which was designed to create Kahnawà:ke laws using direct community input.

“The Justice Act is the cornerstone document that will be the underlying foundation for all of our legislation,” said Justice Portfolio Chief Christine Zachary-Deom. “We cannot underestimate its importance.”

“The Second Draft is the result of hundreds – if not thousands – of man hours of work,” said MCK Director of Justice Services Ron Skye. “The draft was approved by the Community Representatives, who were chosen by the people to provide oversight and to ensure the community’s wishes are respected.”

The first Community Consultation in this round of hearings will take place on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.  Community members are strongly urged to view the draft document at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com.