Clarity on Tioweroton issues

10/24/2023

The Tioweró:ton Committee (“the Committee”) is informing the community of clarifications regarding recent Tioweró:ton issues that were brought forward by concerned community members. The Tioweró:ton Development and Cabin Ownership Procedures were developed to establish processes to obtain a cabin site (including the transfer or sale of a cabin interest) and for the development and use of the Territory. The Procedures were approved by the Council of Chiefs in 2019 and are to be reviewed every five (5) years to ensure that they continue to reflect the needs of the community and the organizations related to the Territory. The Committee will review the procedures in September 2024. 

“The procedures have been developed to ensure the Tioweró:ton Territory is managed more responsibly than they have for the last few decades,” said Jessica Lazare, Ietsénhaienhs responsible for the Tioweró:ton file. “The procedures are based on practices that revitalize and encompass respect and responsibility for the lands and other community members when accessing the territory – an aspect that, without procedures in place, does not happen across the board.”

The Tioweró:ton Committee has been made aware that the 2-year construction timeframe is insufficient for some applicants. As an interim solution in the past, the Committee has made exceptions to extend timeframes upon request until the procedures can be properly evaluated. Upcoming, the Committee will develop a list of exceptional circumstances that will provide clarity for Community members who require extensions should they not complete construction within the 2-year timeframe.

“It’s important to have Procedures, as we want to ensure fair and equal usage of the Territory by all Kahnawa’kehró:non and Kanesata’kehró:non and ensure that the Tioweró:ton Territory is thriving for the benefit of current and future generations,” continued Lazare. 

Lastly, the Tioweró:ton Committee would like to clarify that there are no time restrictions to deliver construction materials to the Territory. Community members can meet and escort their deliveries according to their schedules.

For further information or clarity on other issues, community members are asked to contact the Lands Unit directly.