Cultural Center to move to temporary new home

08/25/2021

The Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language & Cultural Center (KORLCC) and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wish to announce that the KORLCC will relocate to the Kahnawà:ke Office Complex (located past the tunnel, next to the Mohawk Bridge Consortium office) as a temporary measure.

The decision was made due to the deterioration of the current facility, which was in use for many years as a school, kindergarten, then Step By Step Child & Family Center before finally becoming home to the KORLCC. The original plan was to continue to use the building until the new Multi-Purpose Building project was completed; however, the situation was made to vacate the premises after the situation became untenable.

“We approached the MCK because of the emergency nature of the situation,” said Kawennanoron Lisa Phillips, the KORLCC Executive Director. “Without a new facility we faced the real risk of having to cease operations, which is completely unacceptable. With this move we will be able to continue providing the Kanien’kéha Ratiwannahní:rats program and the other language and culture initiatives that the community has come to depend on.”

The MCK will cover the costs of converting the Kahnawà:ke Office Complex to accommodate the KORLCC, which will maintain its obligation for operational costs. The decision was supported by the Ratitsénhaienhs (elected chiefs) at Monday’s duly-convened Council meeting.

“Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa is one of the most important organizations in Kahnawà:ke, and we are pleased to be of assistance,” said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “While it is a temporary solution, it will allow the staff to work in a comfortable facility – which certainly has not been the case for the past several years.”

The relocation has been given top priority and is expected to be completed in September.

“In terms of the long-term plans, we’d like to inform the community that the Capital Funding proposal for the Multi-Purpose Building project has been submitted and the Capital Fundraising project has begun,” said Ms. Phillips. “We are hopeful that we will be in our permanent new home within three to four years.”

Details on the Capital Fundraising project will be announced in the near future. Charleen Schurman of PlanIt Consulting has been named as the Coordinator of the ambitious project.

The Multi-Purpose Building project, which will be located on common land near the Survival School, will house both the KORLCC and the Turtle Island Theatre Company. The $32 million project was announced in 2018, with behind-the-scenes work continuing since that time.