Candidates make final pitch

Voters looking to cast their ballots in the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) elections will be headed to the polls tomorrow, Saturday, August 2.

Many of the MCK candidates have already been featured in The Eastern Door, when we invited the Council hopefuls to introduce themselves and their campaigns to the community by asking everyone the same questions.

Now, on the eve of election day, we have once again invited all the candidates to bring their message directly to the electorate, allotting all the people running for the same position the same amount of space.

This time, we asked just one simple question: “What is your final pitch to voters?”

Answers have been minimally edited for style and clarity.

Grand chief candidates

Victor Bonspille did not submit a response to The Eastern Door.

Brant Etienne

I had a dream a while ago.

A terrible dream, unlike any other I have ever had.

I was driving west along the 344, coming up the bend to Nelson Road.

In the way of dreams, the landscape was not as it is in real life, but larger, compressed and distorted. I could see from the shore of the river to the slope of the mountain and all the way up the bay.

All of it was clear cut. All the trees were gone. All the houses and fields were gone.

There was only mud, garbage, and filth, flowing from the slopes of the mountain to the waters of the lake.

I woke up feeling something I couldn’t describe. It wasn’t sadness or grief. The closest I could relate it to was heartbreak, but it had a hopelessness to it that heartbreak does not.

It took me a while to realize that what I was feeling was despair.

From a dream where there were no more trees in Kanesatake.

Where there were no more fields or clean water.

Where all the worse desires of our people had finally destroyed what our ancestors and the Creator had left us.

That deep, aching despair hurt unlike anything else I had ever felt.

But like the dream, it wasn’t real.

The mountain, lake, and trees are still here.

But I have taken the dream to be a warning.

Of what we will be left with, despair, if we don’t work to stop all the destruction, theft, and greed our people are suffering from.

My duty as grand chief would be to make sure that the vision I had doesn’t become reality.

That there is clean water, land, and trees for the next seven generations to enjoy, as our ancestors as the Creator intended.

Serge Otsi Simon

Note: Simon is also running for the position of Council chief.

Shé:kon, Kanehsata’kehró:non.

I was asked why voters of Kanesatake should entrust me with their vote?

My experience of 10 years as grand chief dealing with every issue facing us and First Nations as a whole, gives me a unique insight on many possible solutions.

Over the years I’ve made mistakes, but not caring for my community was not one of them.

Many lies and distortions about me were used and exploited for the political and economic gain of some, but we must look at my 10 years as grand chief and, with honest eyes, see the progress that was made during that time and not just the mistakes.

One biggest issue we face is the cannabis stores and how we make sure that business is conducted in a respectful manner.

As grand chief, I intend on being a bridge between industry and community, to reason things out by promoting a peaceful resolution to conflicts.

It must be understood that we have an opportunity to repatriate at least 1,000 acres of land right now but, if the unauthorized land grabs or contaminated land filling continue, I don’t see how the governments would justify facilitating bringing back even one acre back to us, under present conditions.

I never had a problem with our people making a good living, and I hope we can arrive at a solution that would allow us to continue but not by threats or intimidation. This can only lead to more social and economic disasters.

I will not be intimidated, and I won’t tolerate threats, but I will be open to mutual respect and meaningful dialogue. If “every child matters,” don’t we owe it to ourselves to prove it? I know we owe it to every child, that’s for sure.

Niawenhkó:wa, skén:nen.

Council chief candidates

Amy Beauvais, Valerie Bonspille, Mary Nicholas, Francis Phillips, and Todd Simon did not submit a response.

Shirley Bonspille

This is a great time to start working as a community. I’m a wife, a mother, and a proud grandmother of two. I have worked extremely hard in the housing department for almost seven years.

My platform is plain and simple, I’m going to fight for the community, I’m going to do my best to work hard for the community of Kanesatake. I will not only listen to you, I will hear you. I’m on three different committees - the annual Christmas committee, which everybody’s seen me there, the events committee, which is again I’m out there, and also the powwow committee.

Vote for a positive change.

Lynn Cataford Gabriel

My desire to become chief is not about a title, power, or recognition - it’s about responsibility, commitment, and love for our people and home. Leadership must come with listening, learning, and standing strong for our culture, language traditions, and rights.

We have the opportunity to strengthen Council through transparency, unity, and community-driven leadership - along with determination, we can create meaningful progress.

Consequently, a stronger Council will be better prepared to advocate for our community and present our interests with clarity and confidence in the presence of government bodies.

I will work to ensure our voices are heard and that policies affecting our lands, culture, education, and law-making are shaped with us, not for us. Our traditions, culture, and governance systems must be honoured in every conversation and decision. We can start to clear a path to becoming a self-governed community.

I will approach these relationships and matters standing strong for our values while finding common ground to create real, lasting change for our community.

With respect, heart, and trust. I ask for your support because leadership is not just about one person. It is about all of us; together we will prosper.

Denise David

If you really know me, I’m a person of a few words, more action-oriented than talking.

I do have projects still coming up and continue to seek funding for our language and culture to move forward.

Through everything, I continued to work on making partnerships to achieve some goals both myself and the Language and Culture wants to do. I’m listening to members who express their needs; I also listen to services when they say they need certain things. I don’t know if there’s a difference because if I can get funding for services to continue to provide for the community, am I not servicing the community? I try not to make promises until I know for sure I can help out.

The one message I want to really get across is: What legacy is it that you or I or we want to leave for our upcoming children and those yet to be born? I had a building put up to be a place to learn to come together and share stories, arts, music, sewing, etc. That is my dream, to bring young and old together; maybe it’s a foolish dream, but who knows, it could become something good.

Niá:wen.

Derek Denis

My final pitch to voters is that I intend on trying my best to work with community members in every which way possible by hearing everyone out and supporting them through every concern that is brought to Council.

I will try with all my efforts while in office to support the people and their wishes for a better future for the community as a whole by working with them and for them.

I wish to be their voice in Council, and be transparent with every decision that may be made in office.

More often than not they feel unheard and undervalued, and I intend to change that.

Cindy Gabriel

The most important thing in any election is getting out to cast your ballot. Kanesatake has around 2,700 eligible voters; the number of actual voters is very low.  That means a small percentage of the population will cast ballots that will affect everyone.

I’m afraid everyone has become so numb and so fed up with all that has happened in the council over the last four years that they will decide not to participate. Remember when you cast a ballot, choose a candidate that you know will consider everyone here in Kanesatake. I think it’s time we look for new people, new ideas. We know what wasn’t working or who wasn’t working, let’s not repeat the same cycle over again. Kanesatake is better than that, and we will be strong again.

The new grand chief and council will need to respect the voice of the people. Working together is a huge priority for me no matter where the votes go. Electing me to council assures that I will respect your voice and commit to work with everyone. Your vote counts, your voice matters.

Kahionhate Riley Denis

Shé:kon,

I’m running for chief in the 2025 general election to bring fresh energy and a real voice for the younger generation at the Council table. It’s time for meaningful change and a Council that prioritizes respect, efficiency, and collaboration.

I’ll focus on improving our infrastructure - starting with safer, longer-lasting roads. I will also address the rising cost of living by advocating for increased housing funding and exploring low-income housing options. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home.

Economic sovereignty and sustainable development are key to our future. We need opportunities that allow Kanehsata’kehró:non to build careers right here at home. By prioritizing local workers and businesses in MCK jobs and contracts, we can keep revenue in our community and create a thriving local economy.

It’s time for a Council that listens, engages in respectful dialogue, and works towards a better future for all. I ask for your support as we work together to build a strong, united Kanesatake.

Niá:wen for your time and consideration.

Amanda Simon (Kwanentawi)

My name is Amanda Simon. I am a certified lands and estates manager, former bilingual instructor in Indigenous land management, and lifelong advocate for transparent, community-led governance. With over four decades of experience in business, administration, and policy reform - including 15 years as lands manager for the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake - I bring both traditional grounding and proven leadership to the role of chief.

Kanesatake is not under the Indian Act. We operate under our own sectoral self-government agreement - KILGA - ratified in 2001. It’s time we used it.

I am running on a clear 20-point plan focused on:

- Full electoral code reform to close loopholes and restore fairness

- Quarterly public reporting from all chiefs by portfolio

- Land governance restored through KILGA and enforceable laws

- Financial and environmental accountability

- Strategic planning rooted in the Great Law of Peace

Let’s remember who we are - the land is unceded, the law is sacred, and the people hold the power. Our governance must reflect that.

My full campaign package is available to anyone who asks.

Vote Amanda Simon on August 2. Let’s protect our lands, rebuild our systems, and return integrity to Kanesatake governance - together.

[email protected]

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter