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

02/28/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�: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 Kahnaw�: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.