Kahnawake, Akwesasne, Kanesatake to make joint presentation at today’s National Energy Board hearing

08/29/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Council Chiefs from Kahnawà:ke, Akwesasne and Kanesatake will be making a joint presentation today to the National Energy Board, which is holding public hearings on the proposed TransCanada pipeline project.

The Montreal hearings begin today .

“We intend to make it clear that this project will definitely have an impact on Aboriginal interests,” said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton, who will be presenting on the MCK’s behalf. “Our message will be pretty simple: the crown has a legal obligation to consult with us; not the National Energy Board, but Canada.”

“We wish to make it clear that our presence does not constitute ‘consultation’ on our part,” he added. “We have a message to deliver, and then we will leave.”

Elder Melvin Diabo will also participate in the MCK’s presentation. He will speak on our responsibility to look after the land. His presentation will be made entirely in Kanien’kéha.