MCK applauds decision to stop major port project

07/08/2021

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is pleased to advise the community that its work on protecting our rights to the benefit of all life within the St. Lawrence River has borne fruit with the recent announcement of a major port project cancellation in Quebec.

In December of 2020, the MCK, through its Indigenous Rights & Research portfolio team, signaled its formal opposition to the Laurentia Deep Water Port project at Quebec City. The team continually pressed its concerns for the protection of Mohawk traditional land and water use, and the threatened Striped Bass, by emphasizing the values inherent to the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen, which reflects our responsibility as Kanien’kehá:ka People to defend all Creation for the benefit of our future generations.

“It is rewarding to know that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has seen fit to align its decision to our traditional values,” stated Ratsénhaienhs Ross Montour, who is the lead on the MCK’s Consultation Portfolio. “This is also a fine example of the proper alignment of relationship envisioned within the Two Row relationship model.”

“We applaud the decision of Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal Minister of the Environment & Climate Change,” he continued. “The Minister’s decision means that we are not simply tilting at windmills in pressing forward the Duty to Consult. Additionally, we need to acknowledge the entire portfolio team for their outstanding work.”