MCK reiterates dissatisfaction with Bill C-30

05/06/2008

Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle, Jr. has sent a registered letter today to Mr. Gerry St. Germain, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples. The letter reiterates Chief and Council’s arguments against the implementation of Bill C-30, An Act to establish the Specific Claims Tribunal.

Specifically, the Chief Delisle’s letter states that the Crown has failed in its obligation to consult First Nations on the issue and that, “We must first reject wholeheartedly the process that was followed by your government in the development of Bill C-30.”

“Based on and in addition to the arguments presented on why Bill C-30’s contents are flawed and our view that a Nation-to-Nation relationship must exist in order to successfully resolve Specific Claims, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke relies on the government to withdraw Bill C-30 and engage in a meaningful consultation process on the issue,” the letter continues.

The letter concludes with an invitation to meet with Chief and Council to discuss Kahnawà:ke’s concerns and to give the matter “the significance it deserves.”