MCK and KSCS sign Settlement Conference Protocol - Youth Protection files

09/25/2023

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) and Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) recently signed the Protocol on Settlement Conferences (the Protocol) with the Court of Quebec and Youth Protection of the Montérégie to provide the option of holding certain Youth Protection settlement conferences in the Territory of Kahnawà:ke.

The Protocol gives families who meet specific criteria an alternative process to resolving their situation through a mediation process within the community itself instead of a judge deciding on the course of actions in an outside court. 

“When a family disagrees with the measures being recommended (by KSCS) to ensure the safety of a child, unfortunately, the only recourse we currently have available is to have a third party determine the actions needed to mitigate the risk to that child,” said KSCS Executive Director, Derek Montour. “The settlement conference process can be offered as a way for the family themselves to work out a plan with us, with a judge mediating the process, and families will never have to go to court.”

“This is an exceptional agreement that allows us to facilitate access to the settlement conference process by providing the option to hold it within the community,” said Tonya Perron, Lead Portfolio Chief of Justice. “Alternative methods of resolving conflict are more culturally appropriate than resolution through an adversarial process and should be considered at every opportunity.”

The Protocol came into effect on September 12, 2023.