MCK reps to attend official launch of Montreal 375th Celebrations

05/17/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro and Ietsénhaienhs Christine Zachary-Deom will be representing the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke today at events marking the launch of Montreal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations.

Events will begin at 9am with a mass at the Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal, which will be attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

This will be followed by a luncheon at City Hall at which Mayor Denis Coderre will honor the relationship with the Indigenous Peoples. Ietsénhaienhs Zachary-Deom will give a speech explaining our relationship – both historical and more recent – and comment on Mr. Coderre’s efforts towards reconciliation. Representatives from Akwesasne, Kanesatake and other First Nations will be in attendance.

A formal reception will take place at 5:30pm at the Belvedere Room of the Montreal Science Center.

Finally, Grand Chief Norton will join Mayor Coderre and other dignitaries to formally ‘flip the switch’ to power up the special lighting on the Jacques Cartier Bridge, which has been decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights for the occasion.

“We’d like to acknowledge Mayor Coderre for ensuring Indigenous People are being given major recognition in terms of our shared history,” said Ietsénhaienhs Zachary-Deom. “I applaud his efforts and hope that we can continue on this path of mutual respect and reconciliation.”