MCK formally approves Code of Conduct for Council Chiefs

06/15/2021

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the Code of Conduct for Council Chiefs (‘Code of Conduct’) was formally approved at yesterday’s duly-convened Council meeting.

The adoption of this document addresses a substantial gap in the MCK’s governance framework, and completes a process that started internally at the MCK in 2010 but had lain dormant for several years. This changed when, as part of the MCK Governance Project, Kahnawa’kehró:non were consulted from January through June 2020 for their views on accountability and transparency in a series of public engagements.

The results of this process culminated in a final Governance Report in December 2020. This document summarized the community feedback on the political governance of the MCK and, more specifically, the Council of Chiefs (Ratitsénhaienhs).

A prominent theme was Kahnawa’kehró:non expressing the need for a document to serve as the basis of accountability for the Ratitsénhaienhs. In response to this feedback, the formal adoption of the Code of Conduct was identified as a top priority. The Governance Portfolio team was tasked with developing the document to govern the Ratitsénhaienhs in their professional and personal behavior as Council Chiefs. Once completed, a second round of community engagements was held in April 2021. The final draft was then submitted for formal approval, which passed by consensus today.

The Ratitsénhaienhs have directed that the application of the Code of Conduct takes effect immediately.

“The acceptance of this document is a milestone for good governance in Kahnawà:ke,” said Gerald Taiaiake Alfred, the Manager of the MCK Governance Project. “This Code addresses the concerns that community members identified as their priority. It is a state-of-the-art policy that gives the community a strong tool for holding the Ratitsénhaienhs accountable. In turn, it provides the Ratitsénhaienhs themselves with a clear guide on how to ensure that they meet the high expectations Kahnawa’kehró:non have for their leaders.”

The Code of Conduct can be viewed by clicking here.