MCK supports Public Safety, Public Health on Proof of Vaccination measures

08/31/2021

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it continues to support Kahnawà:ke’s Public Safety Division and the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre’s Public Health unit as the community prepares to activate full Proof of Vaccination measures within the Territory.

This statement is being issued due to the nature of this measure, which some community members expressed is an infringement of their rights. Discussions with Public Safety and Kahnawà:ke Public Health have been taking place since the initial announcement of Quebec’s proof of vaccination program. However, the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases and the new information on the potential impacts of the ‘Fourth Wave’ wave has made it apparent that action must be taken immediately.

“Due to the severity of the current outbreak, which has actually increased since yesterday’s meeting with Lisa and Lloyd, it has become increasingly clear that we need to act,” said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “We have an obligation to always act in the best interest of the collective, and that’s exactly why we are supporting the Proof of Vaccinations being implemented by Public Safety and Public Health. We are obligated to protect everyone: the elders, immuno-compromised, children under twelve (12) who can’t be vaccinated, and those who cannot or choose not to be vaccinated…and that’s exactly what this measure will do.”

Statistics now indicate that the current Fourth Wave has almost half the number of confirmed cases in Kahnawà:ke as the first three waves combined, with Kahnawà:ke’s vaccination rates falling under the Quebec average for the first time.

“Difficult decisions have to be made that benefit the collective,” continued Sky-Deer. “Saving lives is our foremost concern, and we choose to support moving forward with this measure to ensure there is no loss of life in our community.”

For the record, nine (9) Ratitsénhaienhs expressed their support for full implementation, while three (3) Ratitsénhaienhs (Cody Diabo, Lindsay LeBorgne, and Jessica Lazare) chose to withhold their support, as they expressed that it should only apply to non-locals.

The implementation schedule will be announced shortly.