MCK backs Peacekeepers in complaint against local media outlet

05/22/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to advise Kahnawa’kehró: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 Kahnawà: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 Kahnawà: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 Ahríhron 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.”