The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform thecommunity that it has approved a new Mandate for the Gaming Working Group (GWG), which will enhance, strengthen and assert Kahnawà:ke’s jurisdiction in the gaming industry.
The GWG’s new Mandate aims to advance online and land-based gaming industries, as well as provide continued support to ensure the growth and development of the industry. These goals will be achieved by developing long-term strategies, focus on sustainability and remaining in the forefront as a leader in the Indigenous Gaming Sector.
“Kahnawà:ke has been in the gaming industry for nearly three decades and we have derived more than $100 million in own source revenue from both land-based and online gaming”, said Economic Development Portfolio Lead Ratsénhaienhs Paul Rice. “Growing the gaming industry is essential to our financial and economic independence. In the face of government infringement and funding cuts we must assert and advance our jurisdiction to continue supporting the development and protection of our community.”
The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) will soon begin a call-out for new electronic gaming devices (EGDs) and the MCK will be engaging with the community on land-based and online gaming, asserting Kahnawake’s jurisdiction at the federal level over Bill S-268, and open discussion at the Kahnawà:ke-Canada Relations Table. “The MCK will immediately engage with community on both land-based and online gaming as we strategically grow the industry – the market potential for both additional EGDs in the territory as well as growth from our re-entry into the online space is significant,” said Ratsénhaienhs Ryan Montour.
The GWG, which is comprised of representatives from both the MCK and the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission, will carry out its mandate by also engaging with other First Nations, external governments, stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
In the interest in transparency and accountability, the respective members of the GWG informs on its activities to the Council of Chiefs and the KGC. Any formal agreement(s), documents or positions must be formally approved by the Council of Chiefs.
To view the entire mandate, please click here.
Background
- The GWG includes representatives from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission, two distinct bodies operating at arm’s length.
- Representatives from each member shall be empowered to carry out their responsibilities in a manner consistent with their institutional role, subject to their respective internal policies and authorities.
- MCK Representatives: Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs, Portfolio Leads for: Regulatory Boards Commissions and Labor, and Economic Development; lead on KGC file; and, the following subject matter experts: Chief Political Advisor, MCK Legal Services representative, and a designated Office of the Council of Chiefs staff.
- KGC Representative: Chairperson or delegated Commissioner; KGC legal representatives, and staff as needed.
- Generated revenue from gaming has provided financial support for such investments and initiatives as policing services ($5 million), a new fire truck for the Kahnawà:ke Fire Brigade ($2 million), and the protection and revitalization of our language and culture through the Multi-Purpose Building ($6.8 million).
