Kahnawake, Six Nations sign Mutual Cooperation Agreement on Gaming

02/15/2022

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) and the Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR) are pleased to announce today the signing of a Mutual Cooperation Agreement on Gaming (“the Agreement”).

By virtue of the Agreement, both parties affirm their mutual commitment to defend, by any means possible, our Indigenous jurisdiction over gaming, and the socio-economic benefits our communities would derive therein. The Agreement facilitates a memorandum of understanding between each community’s gaming regulatory bodies and creates a space where discussions on potential mutually beneficial opportunities in the igaming industry can occur.

Additionally, both communities will begin collaborative work on legal, political and public relation strategies to defend their respective jurisdictions and interests in the gaming industry. They will extend opportunity for other Indigenous communities across Turtle Island to join in this collaboration, and will also begin development on a national body of Indigenous gaming regulators.

“We are pleased to revitalize relations and strengthen our alliance with our brothers and sisters,” said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “Renewal of this longstanding relationship founded on nationhood is the first step needed to strengthen our joint efforts in defending our interests and maintaining a stronghold in the gaming industry and other key areas we identify in the future.”

“Today’s agreement signifies an important milestone as our communities come together to address our collective concerns,” said Chief Mark Hill. “This type of partnership is the first step in demonstrating the possibilities of what we can achieve as Iroquois communities if we work together. We are much stronger not as individuals, but as a collective, and these relationships will strengthen us as we assert our rights and jurisdiction within the gaming industry and beyond.”

Both communities have been frustrated by recent changes to Canada’s Criminal Code that have effectively shut out First Nations by willfully ignoring the legitimate interests of Indigenous Peoples in the gaming industry. This is being clearly demonstrated by the recent actions of the government of Ontario, which has unilaterally reinterpreted the ‘conduct and manage provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and established an ‘igaming’ initiative under its authority, iGaming Ontario. This new model does not provide accommodations for, and will not benefit SNGR or Kahnawà:ke’s socio-economic business, Mohawk Online, as it closes off access to one of its largest local markets.

Nonetheless, the external Governments ongoing failure to accommodate the interests of First Nations will not delay advancement for Kahnawà:ke and Six Nations of the Grand River. Today, together, we affirm that we will work collaboratively to take all actions necessary to protect and defend our inherent rights to gaming. We will continue to advocate for the advancement of our self-determination without the constant interference of the Canadian and provincial governments. It is optimal for us to achieve this through dialogue and cooperation and to date we, in good faith, have continued to keep that opportunity open.

The signing of the Agreement, which took place at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, is effective immediately.