The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is providing clarification regarding the recent removal of a crop that had been planted near the Kahnawà:ke Survival School on the eastern boundary of the Territory.
As far as we are aware, the crop was established as a grassroots environmental initiative intended to explore the use of hemp as a potential phytoremediation method to help address known soil contamination in the area.
However, after receiving a complaint from the community regarding this crop, the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Peacekeepers conducted testing of the plants, and the lab results determined that it was positively identified as cannabis. As a result, the Peacekeepers removed 79 cannabis plants.
The MCK wishes to clarify that it did not direct or order the removal of the crop and was made aware of the situation only after it had taken place.
The MCK remains open to working collaboratively with individuals, community members, organizations and technical experts who wish to contribute to efforts aimed at understanding and addressing environmental contamination within Kahnawà:ke.
It is important to remember that initiatives involving the planting, cultivation, or use of crops for environmental remediation must be undertaken in a manner that considers applicable laws, regulatory requirements, environmental safeguards, and the health and safety of community members.
Going forward, the MCK encourages anyone interested in pursuing environmental remediation initiatives to engage with the appropriate MCK departments so that potential projects can be properly assessed and developed.
The protection and restoration of Kahnawà:ke’s lands remains an important community priority. The MCK is committed to supporting responsible, evidence-based approaches to environmental remediation and to working collaboratively with those who share that objective.
