Chief to present at Tobacco Hearings

05/28/2008

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke has announced that its request to appear at parliamentary committee hearings on the issue of ‘contraband tobacco’ has been accepted. Kahnawà:ke’s presentation is scheduled for next Wednesday, 4 Ohiarí:ha/June at 3:30pm in Ottawa.

The hearings were commissioned by Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and began on 7, Onerahtohkó:wa/May. Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle, Jr. will make the presentation on behalf of Kahnawà:ke.

“Originally, there was no intent to even include First Nations at these hearings,” he said. “In light of the recent announcement by Mr. Day and the RCMP, we need to make it absolutely clear to the Canadian government that any unilateral decision or action on this issue is completely unacceptable.”

It is expected that Chief Delisle will share the panel with several other Native communities/ organizations.