MCK announces Portfolio adjustments at halfway point of 2021-2024 term

01/30/2023

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the community that the Council of Chiefs have completed their mid-term Portfolio Review and have made adjustments to the 2021-2024 term portfolio distribution.

Portfolio reviews are a matter of course during each term, but today’s announcement is highlighted by the fact that two recently-elected Ratitsénhaienhs are receiving their first formal assignments.

“It’s a constructive and useful exercise that gives us a chance to evaluate our performances on each portfolio, and to make any adjustments we feel would bring improvements,” said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “It allows us to ensure there is alignment with the issues and files that have evolved, and to ensure that the Ratitsénhaienhs are on the files that best suit their strengths. It also gives us the opportunity to evaluate whether the workloads are balanced, and to adjust accordingly. For this term, the timing worked out perfectly, as we have had two recent additions to the Council of Chiefs.”

Ratsénhaienhs Iohahi:io Delisle, who was elected on November 5, 2022, has been assigned as the lead on the Health Portfolio. He has also been selected to work on the Indigenous Rights & Research, Economic Development, and Social Supports & Development portfolios.

Ratsénhaienhs Stephen McComber, elected on December 3, 2022, is the lead on the newly-created Sustainable Development portfolio (which includes community development Initiatives, food security/agriculture, and ‘green’ initiatives). He will also be part of the Indigenous Rights & Research, and Public Safety portfolios.

Ratsénhaienhs Harry Angus Rice is the lead on the Social Supports & Development portfolio (formerly the Social Affairs portfolio). One other change of note is the addition of Ietsénhaienhs Jessica Lazare to the Lands & Territories portfolio; she has been assigned to lead the Tioweró:ton file, which was previously held by departed Ratsénhaienhs Barton Goodleaf.

The new assignments were formalized via Mohawk Council Executive Directive at this morning’s duly convened Council meeting and passed by Consensus. The complete list of portfolio assignments can be accessed here.