Reminder on the Plans for Tree Removal for transplant and repurposing for the Multi-Purpose Building

02/26/2024

The Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkhwa Language & Cultural Center and its partners (‘the Building Committee’) wish to remind the community of its plans to protect and preserve trees from the new Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center site, first announced in the Fall of 2022.

The Project Team will utilize all accepted practices to protect and preserve trees and removal of invasive plants.

Additional trees had to be removed due to the following:

• Given the need to regrade the site where the building and parking lot will be placed
• The Kahnawake Fire Brigade, in following KFB Safety Regulations required a fire lane around the building, as an Emergency Fire Route. There was also a requirement to have a safe distance between trees and the building to mitigate wildfires as well as the realities of construction work, laydown areas and associated equipment to complete the project have had to impact existing tree preservation. Nonetheless, the site will remain lush as technically feasible.

Currently, there are 74 trees that are covered and being protected for transplant. The removal process is being done by knowledgeable professionals who hold our processes to the highest importance. Many trees, shrubs and plants will be planted in the final landscaping plan. As was done previously, there are trees that will be repurposed and given to community members who wish to use them. An announcement will be made to the community at that time.

As promised, there will also be two trees planted for every tree removed either on site or in the community.

The Multi-Purpose Building project includes a Zero Carbon Building. The Team has maintained that environmentally sound practices will be in place for this Project.

We have added a visual of the beautiful landscape at Projects end with an abundance of trees, shrubs, plants, grass and many environmentally sensitive aspects captured within the project’s landscaping plans.

We take this time to remind ourselves of the ceremony that was carried out at the onset of the project, where acknowledgment and thanks were given to all that inhabits the forest, explaining the work to come, the purpose of the project and giving thanks for making room for the Project.

We ask for your patience and understanding during this time and we assure you that all Environmental matters are at the forefront of the Project Team.

We encourage community members to contact the Project Manager or a Partner of the Project, should you have concerns or questions on the Project.

For any construction related questions, please feel free to contact Project Manager Louie John Diabo, at 514-831-3192 or by email Louiejohn@diaboconsulting.com.

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