Justice Act enters final phases, will fundamentally change the way Kahnawake exercises jurisdiction

10/02/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to announce that the Final Draft of the Kahnawà:ke Justice System Act is available for viewing and has now entered a final 30-day viewing of the proposed law.

Two versions are available: one is the official final version of the draft; the second version includes tracking notes indicating the changes made from previous drafts. The documents are now available at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com.

“We’re heading down the homestretch,” said Director of Justice Services Ron Skye. “Once the 30-day viewing phase is completed, we will bring forth the law for community ratification in early November. The final phase will then be the enactment of the law that, by process, is done by Mohawk Council Resolution. It has been a huge undertaking, but the community has been very supportive from the very beginning.”

The original proposal to create the law was submitted on November 23, 2007. After extensive consultations, the first of six meetings using the Community Decision Making Process was held on September 30, 2009, with a mandate given to proceed with the law on February 3, 2010. Upon completion of the First Draft by a technical team consisting of three community representatives and various technicians, a series of six meetings was held from September 19 to November 28, 2012 to make changes and/or clarify the draft. The Second Draft was then created and, from January 21 to February 18 of this year, three additional meetings were held during which further minor changes and/or clarifications were approved.

“This is truly one of the most important documents the community has created in a great many years,” said Justice Portfolio Chief Christine Zachary-Deom. “It will fundamentally change the way we exercise jurisdiction within the community.”