MCK statement regarding petition/residency

04/26/2010

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it has received a petition protesting the building of a house by a woman whom, it is alleged, is planning to have her non-Native partner move onto and live in the Territory.

The woman is not breaching any laws by building the house, and she and her child are welcome to live there. However, if her non-Native partner were found to be living in breach of the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law, The MCK would have no choice but to take action against him.

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke assures the community that it continues to address this and other issues regarding Membership/residency.

Since 1981, various laws have been explicit in this matter and every adult person in Kahnawà:ke is well aware of the residency criteria. This was reinforced recently when letters were sent to several people ineligible to reside on the Territory, directing them to abide by the law.

Chief & Council acknowledges that the Membership issue is contentious and, on occasion, even volatile. The MCK would like to take this opportunity to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non that, while community members are most certainly within their right to express themselves, this should always be done in the manner that our culture dictates. The MCK does not condone any type of behavior that is abusive or disrespectful. The community should do the same.