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

06/08/2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà: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.