Justice Act Final Hearing next Wednesday

11/06/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to invite community members to attend the Third and Final Hearing of the Kahnawà:ke Justice System Law – usually referred to as the ‘Justice Act’ – being held from 6 to 8pm next Wednesday, 12 Kentenhkó:wa/ November 2014 at the Golden Age Club. At this time the law will officially be read into the record.

The community mandate to proceed with the creation of a law to use as the basis for a Kahnawà:ke justice system was given on 3, Enníska/February 2010.

“It’s great to have this chapter of the Justice Act ready to be ratified by the community,” said Director of Justice Services Ron Skye. “This is the product of a grassroots movement. Information gathered through the years clearly indicated that change was needed. There was no design or pre-written map to follow – the design flowed from the community members who were willing to share their ideas and concerns. Their hard work must be acknowledged. Those who participated have now become leaders in this historic endeavor.

“On a more personal note, it’s satisfying to see this part come to an end,” added Mr. Skye, who has been involved in the creation of law from the very beginning of the process. “I’m hopeful that it will continue to grow and evolve into something that everyone can support and access with confidence.”

“The Justice Act is a key component for upholding jurisdiction in our community,” said Justice Portfolio Chief Christine Zachary-Deom. “It’s taken years to get to this position. We now need to strengthen our laws and provide a venue for implementation issues. We have a long way to go to achieve a justice system that can respond to all of the community’s needs.

“This is a beginning and the work now has to progress on many levels, such as negotiation, amendments to laws and the review of all of our laws and by-laws,” she concluded.

The law will be formally ratified by Chief & Council in the coming weeks. A date is expected to be announced shortly.