Council Communiqué – Monday, 29 Seskehkó:wa/September 2025

communique

Meeting at Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke

In: Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo, Jeremiah Johnson, Iohahí:io Delisle (joined at 10:13am), Paul Rice, Melanie Morrison, Ryan Montour, Jeffrey Diabo, David Diabo, Stephen McComber, Ross Montour, Tonya Perron, Arnold Boyer.

Also Present: Jaime-Lynn Deere (Council Meeting Administrator), Abbey Diabo (Director of the Office of the Council of Chiefs), Lloyd Phillips (Chief Political Advisor), Justus Polson-Lahache (Public Relations), Tehosterihens Deer (Public Relations Specialist, Political), Dawn Marquis-Deere (Executive Administrative Officer/Interim Executive Director), and for Housekeeping only: Taiawentetie Hemlock (Executive Assistant to the Kahnawa’kehró:non Ratitsénhaienhs). 

Housekeeping

  • Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen by Cody Diabo
  • Cheque Signers: Two (2) Ratitsénhaienhs identified
  • Public Relations Items: MCK Friday – Jeffrey Diabo and Stephen McComber; Ratitsénhaienhs Report – Melanie Morrison, Introduced Tehosterihens Deer as the new Public Relations Specialist – Political of the Public Relations Unit 
  • Minutes for Approval – September 2, 2025 and September 8, 2025 – Approved
  • Aboriginal Financial Officers Association – Request to attend engagement event in Montreal, Quebec on September 15th, 2026. Paul Rice to attend – Approved 
  • Indigenous Agriculture Summit – Request to attend November 27-28, 2025 in Regina, Saskatchewan. David Diabo to attend – Suggested for community members to attend – Approved 
  • Travel Request: Jeffrey Diabo requested travel to a Specific Claims meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba from October 21-24, 2025 – Approved
  • Travel Request: David Diabo requested travel to the SarScene Conference in Ottawa, Ontario from October 1-5, 2025 – Approved
  • Request to support 325th Anniversary of Great Peace Montreal for upcoming event in September 2026. Invitation to be sent to Longhouse representatives. Presented by Ross Montour – Approved
  • Jeremiah Johnson – Thursday: Housing Reconciliation Prep, Peacekeepers Swearing-In, Kahnawà:ke Residency Law meeting
  • Paul Rice – Monday: Montreal Port Authority meeting; Wednesday: Economic Development and Hydro Quebec meeting; Thursday: MCK / Hydro-Quebec Hertel Working Group, Peacekeepers Swearing-In, Kahnawà:ke Sovereign Wealth Fund Economic Development meeting; Friday: MCK / Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) Bi-Weekly Coordination, External Government Relations Portfolio
  • Melanie Morrison – Tuesday: Every Child Matters event at Golden Age Club; Wednesday: Name unveiling for Multi-Purpose Building; Thursday: Peacekeepers Swearing-In; Friday: Kahnawà:ke Language Law discussion, internal meeting
  • Ryan Montour – Thursday: Meeting with Community Member, Kahnawà:ke Youth Center Vegas Night training, Peacekeepers Swearing-In, Peacekeeper Services Board meeting; Friday: Housing letters, Housing Mortgage Reconciliation meeting; Saturday: Vegas Night volunteering
  • Jeffrey Diabo – Wednesday: Library meeting; Thursday: Tobacco Working Group, Peacekeepers Swearing-In; Friday: Tobacco Filming Session
  • David Diabo – Wednesday: Attending SarScene Conference in Ottawa, Ontario; Hot Mixed Asphalt Report, Lands, Safety and Security table; Friday: Management Skills for Supervisors training (tentative)
  • Stephen McComber – Tuesday: Speaking engagement in Verdun; Thursday: Speaking engagement at Palliative Care Residence in Kirkland
  • Ross Montour – Thursday: Peacekeepers Swearing-In; Notice of upcoming vacation day for October 9

Amrize (Lafarge) Quarry – Record of Decision
Presence of Katie Spillane (MCK Legal Counsel), Patrick Ragaz (General Manager of Field Science – Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office), Rose-Ann Morris (Advisor – Office of the Council of Chiefs), Iris Montour (General Manager of Kanien’kehá:ka Rights and Research Office). Portfolio Holders Nitsénhaienhs Ross Montour and David Diabo. This item was Client-Attorney Privileged.                                  

Confidential Item – Record of Decision
Presence of: Eric Doucet (MCK Legal Counsel), Dawn Marquis Deere (Interim Executive Director/Executive Administrative Officer), Kyle Delisle (Executive Finance Officer), Stephen Ashkenazy (External Legal Counsel). This item was Client Attorney Privileged.

Executive Office Updates
Presence of Dawn Marquis-Deere (Executive Administrative Officer/Interim Executive Director). Dawn Marquis-Deere updated on: Pension plan analysis video recording, senior leadership unit feedback on Quebec Pension Plan, Organizational Development work on policies and prioritization, security training, Capital work, Kahnawà:ke Library demolition, Staff Halloween party, Dayforce changes, and reporting requirements for workplace safety.

Ratitsénhaienhs Updates
Paul Rice – Updated on National Indigenous Economic Development Board and Indigenous Advisory Council, Peepeekisis Nation meeting Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association, Kahnawà:ke Sovereign Wealth Fund
Melanie Morrison – Updated on visit to the Quebec Bridge Disaster Memorial Site, meeting with Senator Michele Audette, Innu Hydro-Quebec line project, Harvest Summit, and Multi-Purpose Building public launch
Arnold Boyer – Updated on Route 207 Rehabilitation Project design phase, Spanish Residential School visit on October 21 – 22, Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services board, Government of Ethics Committee, and Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre board meetings.
Cody Diabo – Updated on Jordan’s Principle tuition payments and upcoming Iroquois Caucus meeting, visit from a Six Nations of the Grand River gaming representative

Adjournment
Closing by Cody Diabo. Meeting adjourned at 2:52pm

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Monday, May 19, 2025

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