Clarification and statement regarding individual removed from Kahnawake

05/19/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the public of matters in regard to events that occurred this past weekend, at which time an individual was removed from the Territory.

Chief and Council wish to clarify that, on Wednesday, May 13, Denis Thauvette was arrested and charged with criminal harassment of a Kahnawà:ke resident and his family, possession of a controlled substance and several breaches of conditions.

According to the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, the Provincial Court released Mr. Thauvette on Friday, May 15 with certain conditions, including that he ‘remain in Kahnawake.’ It was the Peacekeepers’ understanding that the individual would be held until Tuesday, May 19 (today) for a formal bail hearing, at which time the Court would be informed about the Peacekeepers’ objection to the conditions.

“It’s very unfortunate, but this lack of information was a major cause of the incident that took place on Sunday, May 17,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “The Peacekeepers did their job and took Mr. Thauvette to a location off Territory in order to calm the situation. According to the Peacekeepers, Mr. Thauvette will not be returning to the community.”

“While we understand that community members are frustrated – as are we – we have to maintain our composure,” he continued. “There is no excuse to engage in violent behavior. The community is being portrayed as something it isn’t, and we all have a responsibility to remain peaceful and respectful.”

“This is a situation where a community is upset that an individual with a lengthy criminal record who uttered threats against a family was released with unacceptable conditions,” he concluded. “While the Membership situation is brought up in every media report, this incident should be more truthfully reported for what it is: an issue of safety and security. The fact that Mr. Thauvette is neither a member nor a non-member resident compounded the situation.”