Cultural Center to move to temporary new home

08/25/2021

The Kanien�keh�:ka Onkwaw�n:na Raotiti�hkwa Language & Cultural Center (KORLCC) and the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wish to announce that the KORLCC will relocate to the Kahnaw�: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�k�ha Ratiwannahn�: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 Kahnaw�:ke Office Complex to accommodate the KORLCC, which will maintain its obligation for operational costs. The decision was supported by the Ratits�nhaienhs (elected chiefs) at Monday�s duly-convened Council meeting.

�Kanien�keh�:ka Onkwaw�n:na Raotiti�hkwa is one of the most important organizations in Kahnaw�:ke, and we are pleased to be of assistance,� said Oh�n:ton �:iente ne Ratits�nhaienhs (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.