Grand Chief speaks at House of Commons this morning on proposed amendments to Indian Act

06/08/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke wishes to advise the community that Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton made a presentation this morning at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs & Northern Development Canada to protest a Bill to amend the Indian Act, which will allow for potentially huge increases in federally registered Indigenous persons.

Grand Chief Norton voiced MCK�s long-held position that the communities should determine Membership and Citizenship � not the Federal government. He also presented a letter from the MCK (click here) noting concerns of the contents and intent of the Bill, the Senate�s amendments and an official objection to the Bill.

The Hearings are part of the legislative process to pass amendments ordered by the Quebec Superior Court (in regard to the ill-advised Descheneaux Decision) that will undoubtedly cause huge ramifications to Indigenous communities. In particular, the Senate has passed further amendments to S-3 � An Act to Amend the Indian Act (elimination of sex-based inequities in registration) that go beyond what the court has ordered � which, in itself, is problematic.

The Bill is now in the House of Commons.