Terms of Reference for Chief and Council passes by Consensus

02/08/2022

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to advise the community that the Terms of Reference for the Ohén:ton Í:iente/Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs and the Terms of Reference for Ietsénhaienhs/Ratsénhaienhs were passed by Consensus at yesterday’s duly-convened Council meeting.

These Terms of Reference (for the Grand Chief and Council Chiefs) were developed in response to the direction given by the community during the (then termed) MCK Governance Project’s consultation that expressed the need for a document to serve as the basis of accountability for the Kahnawa’kehró:non Ratitsénhaienhs. Furthermore, a document to govern their professional and personal behavior in their duties as Ratitsénhaienhs was seen as essential.

It is also the first time that the Kanien’kéha terms for ‘Chiefs’ and ‘Grand Chief’ are being used in formal policy.

The two Terms of Reference documents have been developed to ensure that the actions and words of the Ratitsénhaienhs, at all times, meet the expectations that Kahnawa’kehró:non have for their leaders. Please note a separate Terms of Reference for the position of Ohén:ton Í:iente/Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) was developed due to the expanded role and responsibilities of the position.

The documents were developed by Taiaiake Gerald Alfred, project manager of the Kahnawà:ke Governance Project, in accordance with community direction from Phase I of the project, along with input from the MCK Governance Portfolio Team.

The Terms of Reference are effective immediately and can be found online on the documents page of www.kgov.ca.