Chief Martin Leborgne relinquishes role on Tioweroton file

11/03/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Chief Martin Leborgne has decided to relinquish his role on the Tioweró:ton file.

Chief Leborgne has been closely involved with Tioweró:ton since he was first elected to Council in 2000.

The MCK received a petition asking Chief & Council to remove Chief Leborgne from the file late last week. The petition was discussed at yesterday’s Council meeting and, while the Chiefs did not consider removing him, Chief Leborgne announced he would step down immediately in the best interest of the file.

“In order to do the job properly, there is a responsibility to represent all of the people who use the Territory,” said Chief Leborgne. “Obviously, there are some people who feel I am not representing their views, so I felt it was best to step away. I’ll continue to support the Chiefs who will take on the responsibility in my place and concentrate on my other files. And I’ll still be in Tioweró:ton just about every weekend, as always.”

“Everyone knows I have my opinions on Tioweró:ton,” he continued. “I am very passionate about our hunting and fishing rights, and I support exercising these rights at any time.

Chief Billy Diabo has been the Chairperson of the Tioweró:ton Committee for the past three years. As he is currently on medical leave until early December, Lands Portfolio Chiefs Clinton Phillips and Carl Horn will assume responsibility for the file until Chief Diabo’s return.