Mohawk Council of Kahnawake offers peaceful solution to Wet’suwet’en situation

02/28/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to announce that it is proposing a temporary solution to the issue of RCMP presence in Wet’suwet’en territory.

Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton suggests that the Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers head up a temporary Indigenous police force to patrol the Wet’suwet’en territory.

“We are bringing forth a possible solution to address one of the most problematic issues in the Wet’suwet’en situation,” stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “The key demand is for the RCMP to leave, but there is a need for policing services to offer assistance in everyday matters. We feel this can lead to an immediate de-escalation of the current crisis.”

Chief Peacekeeper Dwayne Zacharie has agreed to contact his fellow Indigenous police chiefs in an attempt to gather a sufficient number of officers to ensure public safety.

“We offer this suggestion as a genuine gesture that could go a long way towards allowing some forward momentum in the talks,” concluded Grand Chief Norton.

There is precedent in recent history: in January 2004, the Peacekeepers were requested to take over policing for a 30-day period in the neighboring Mohawk community of Kanesatake on an emergency basis. The Peacekeepers were successful in restoring calm, and their efforts were much appreciated.