Nitsenhaienhs traveled to Ottawa for Bill S-268 meetings

05/01/2024

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake wishes to inform the community that Nitsenhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and Cody Diabo traveled to Ottawa today along with Chief Political Advisor Winona Polson-Lahache and Director of Legal Services Marylee Armstrong, to meet with Federal Senators Scott Tannas, Michelle Audette, and Paul Prosper.

The meeting was scheduled to propose changes to Bill S-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act. The Bill in its current form proposes to amend section 207 of the Criminal Code, to provide the governing body of a First Nation the authority to conduct and manage gaming, and to license the conduct and management of gaming by other persons and entities on its reserve.

“We have always asserted our jurisdiction over Gaming, and the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law and Regulations are not dependent on the ratification or approval of any other jurisdiction or regulatory body,” stated Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “Kahnawà:ke has blazed the trail on First Nations Gaming regulation, and we feel that we created the space for external governments to consider how this can work for other First Nations on a global scale.”

For over a quarter century, Kahnawà:ke has been the leader in online gaming regulation through the ratification of the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law in 1996, and the creation of the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission in 1999.

The contingent will return to the community after the meetings are concluded.