MCK to support Treaty Against Tar Sands Expansion in Montreal

09/22/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) announced that it supports and will endorse a Treaty Alliance between Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island to stop the threat of Tar Sands pipelines, tankers and trains at a ceremony being held today in Montreal.

The Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion will be signed simultaneously in Montreal and at Musqueam Territory in Vancouver, British Columbia at 1pm EDT (10am PDT). The event is being organized by the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.

The wording of the Treaty is as follows:

“Our Nations hereby join together under the present treaty to officially prohibit and to agree to challenge and resist the use of our respective territories and coasts in connection with the expansion of the production of the Alberta Tar Sands, including for the transport of such expanded production, whether by pipeline, rail or tanker.

As sovereign Indigenous nations, we enter this treaty pursuant to our inherent legal authority and responsibility to protect our respective territories from threats to our lands, waters, air and climate, but we do so knowing full well that it is in the best interest of all peoples, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to put a stop to the threat of Tar Sands expansion.

We wish to work in collaboration with all peoples and all governments in building a more equitable and sustainable future, one that will produce healthier and more prosperous communities across Turtle Island and beyond, as well as preserve and protect our peoples’ way of life.”

Ratsénhaienhs Clinton Phillips, who holds the Environment Portfolio, who has been given the proxy by Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton to represent the MCK.