The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is expressing its deep disappointment following the recent federal election debate held in Montreal, where Onkwehón:we issues were entirely absent from the discussion.
Despite the debate taking place on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke, there was no formal acknowledgment of this fact. Furthermore, invitations extended by the MCK to federal leaders Mark Carney, Jagmeet Singh, and Pierre Poilievre to engage in dialogue have gone unanswered.
The MCK also raised concerns about the federal government’s housing strategy—specifically the “Public Lands for Homes Plan” and the “Public Lands Acquisition Fund,” both promoted as key solutions in last year’s Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan. A central feature of these initiatives is the proposal to sell off unused Crown lands to build housing.
Selling these lands without first resolving long-standing land claims directly undermines ongoing negotiations and threatens the already limited opportunities for land restitution to Onkwehón:we communities. With nearly 24,000 acres still owed to Kahnawà:ke alone, these policies not only ignore the reality of outstanding land debts, but also contradict the federal government’s repeated claims of commitment to reconciliation and justice for Onkwehón:we Nations.
“No candidate demonstrated even a basic understanding or concern for Onkwehón:we peoples or our realities. It’s not surprising, but it’s incredibly disheartening—especially in a country that claims to be walking the path of Truth and Reconciliation,” said Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo. “You cannot claim to be ‘solving’ the housing crisis while ignoring Canada’s outstanding land debts to Onkwehón:we communities. Reconciliation is not just a word. It requires action, recognition of rights, and a willingness to engage with the truth—including the truth about land.”
The MCK urges all federal leaders and candidates to show meaningful engagement and respect for Onkwehón:we voices, both during the campaign and beyond.
To hear directly from Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo on this issue, click here to watch the video.
