Beach will be for locals

07/09/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to advise Kahnawa’kehrò:non that the beach currently under construction on Tekakwitha Island as part of the Tekakwitha Island & Bay Restoration Project will be for the use and enjoyment of the local population. It will NOT be a “public beach” open to the general population, and was never intended as such.

“There has been a great deal of consultation with the community, along with ongoing information and updates,” said Ratsénhaienhs Lindsay LeBorgne, who is on the Environment Portfolio. “This is a great project that will improve the flow of water around the island and help address the problem of stagnant water that has increased over the years – as well as improve, protect and enhance the natural aspects of the area. The beach was actually added to the project as a result of the community consultations. People are excited about this, though questions have arisen about whether it is being planned as a public beach. We can tell the community that this will be for our people.”

“We know that questions that have been raised on social media, along with the resulting speculation and rumors,” he continued. “We always encourage people to ask us the questions directly to help avoid this type of issue.”

Work on the project began in late spring, though it has been in the planning stages for many years. The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office began studying the flow problems in the Bay in 2008 and expanded the project to improve the habitat and increase the biodiversity on the island, while also providing some elements to improve access and enjoyment for community members – such as the beach. While funding was acquired from various sources, there is no stipulation that any aspect of the project would entail having non-Kahnawa’kehrò:non accessing the Territory.