Grand Chief’s Speech at Tobacco Hearings Available on Kahnawake.com

06/05/2008

Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle, Jr., along with several other Mohawk leaders, spoke at the Parliamentary Hearings on Tobacco in Ottawa yesterday.

In his presentation, Chief Delisle condemned the recently-announced 2008 Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy as a document that generalizes that the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke, as a group, are linked to gangsterism and organized crime.

He chastised both the Canadian government and the RCMP for failing to consult/discuss this issue with our people, choosing instead to create a plan that could have dire consequences.

“It is my obligation to speak on behalf of the law-abiding, income-earning and family oriented community members who are the majority of Kahnawa’kehró:non,” said Chief Delisle. “Historically, there was recognition of Kahnawà:ke’s ability and authority to deal with our people, our land and our laws. It’s time for Canada and Kahnawà:ke to renew our historic relationship so that solutions to these troubling issues can be harmonized between us.”

Chief Delisle’s speech can be accessed in it’s entirety on the main page at www.kahnawake.com.