Michael Delisle, Jr. resigns as Rats�nhaienhs

01/09/2024

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform the community that Michael Delisle, Jr. announced his resignation from his position as Ratsénhaienhs, effective January 26, 2024, as well as his acceptance of a new position within the MCK. 

Delisle’s letter of resignation was read into the official record of the duly convened Council meeting on Monday, January 8, 2024.

“Contemplating moving on was an extremely difficult decision, because I have spent the majority of my professional life working in the best interest of our community. However, several events in my personal life have led me to the conclusion that it is time for me to change direction,” said Delisle. “I feel this is the right decision for myself and my family, and I will definitely continue to defend and protect our jurisdiction in my new role as the Registrar of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke Law and of the Kahnawà:ke Residency Law for the Office of the Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka Registry.”

“Mike has been a longstanding and pivotal member of the Council of Chiefs on and off for the past 22 years. He has contributed to critical advancements of Kahnawà:ke’s assertion of our self-determination with outside governments, most notably in his role as Grand Chief, his accomplishments in the economic development sector and his diligence on the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis Land Grievance file,” said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “This news is bittersweet for the Ratitsénhaienhs. We support his personal decision and commend him for his dedication to his family, yet we will surely feel his absence at the Council table. We all benefitted from working alongside Mike as a colleague and a role model, and we are confident that moving forward in his new role, his shrewd, no-nonsense work style will serve him and the community well.”

Delisle was the lead on Economic Development Portfolio including Revenue Generation and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, lead on the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis and Specific Claims in the Indigenous Rights and Research Portfolio, lead on Quebec/Kahnawà:ke in the External Government Relations Portfolio, and served as the liaison to both the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission and the Alcoholic Beverages control Board in the Regulatory Boards and Commissions portfolio. The re-allocation of portfolios will be determined soon. As the resignation comes after the midway point of the current term, a by-election is not required to fill the vacant position.