Second Draft of Kahnawake Justice System Law approved, moves closer to final passage

02/19/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is pleased to announce that the Second Draft of the proposed Kahnawà:ke Justice System Law was approved last night, as consensus was reached on two final sections: the Eligibility Criteria for Judges; and Clause 28, which contains definitions of terms used within the law. 

Several small changes to add clarity to the document were approved, which has been in development for four years. Eight community members participated in the lively, sometimes passionate, and very positive discussion.

“Now that we’ve reached this historic point, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the many people who came out to participate during the community hearings, the support staff, the drafting team and the Justice Commission,” said Director of Justice Services Ron Skye. “There have been untold hours of work that went into the development of this document, and we are now seeing the results of that work.”

“Special thanks must go out to Ron Skye, who has shown tremendous leadership on this most important file,” said Justice Portfolio Chief Christine Zachary-Deom. “He’s been there since the beginning and has never wavered in his commitment to the development of our own Justice System. And let’s not forget Jeremiah Johnson, who never missed a meeting.”

The Third Draft of the proposed law, which will include the changes requested by the community in the Second Hearing consultations, will be finalized and made available upon its completion. Other tasks that remain include the preparation of a budget and formal presentation of the draft law at a Third Reading. If approved, it will then be signed into law by a Mohawk Council Resolution.