MCK backs Peacekeepers in complaint against local media outlet

05/22/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to advise Kahnawa�kehr�:non that Chief and Council is very displeased with today�s Eastern Door, as it contains a serious factual error, as pointed out by the Kahnawake Peacekeepers.

In the editorial entitled �The safety of our community at what cost?� Steve Bonspiel included incorrect information that seriously attacks the credibility of the Peacekeepers. He references a press release that alleges that the Peacekeepers �signed for a man to be returned to Kahnaw�:ke before his next court appearance,� which is false.

There was only one press release issued in regard to Sunday�s events, and that was actually issued by the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke on Tuesday, May 19. Mr. Bonspiel�s version of the chronology of events is completely erroneous and needs to be corrected as soon as possible.� (click here to see May 19 press release)

�This can be interpreted as a breach of ethics, a breach of public trust and endangering public security given the sensitivity of the situation,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hron Delisle, Jr. 

�We have had a difficult time trying to get the outside media to tell all sides of the story in a fair manner,� he continued. �It is a lot more disheartening to see the editor and publisher of one of our local media outlets fail to get the story right. In a situation as complicated as that which occurred on Sunday, Mr. Bonspiel has an obligation to get the facts in order. This is not a typo or misspelling � this is a major and fundamental error.�   

�The Peacekeepers have a difficult enough job to do without being wrongly thrown under the bus,� he concluded. �The community deserves better.�