Lands Unit seeks input
A mapping activity from last year’s Lands Summit shows some of the efforts the Lands Unit has put into planning for the future – now the Lands Unit is seeking community feedback through engagement sessions. File photo
A series of focus groups and an upcoming open house kiosk are the latest steps in the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK)’s creation of a Land Use Plan, a roadmap that will guide the return and use of lands in the community.
The focus groups will be held in the Lands Unit boardroom on January 21, with one session running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and a second session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Those who are unable to attend the focus groups are invited to stop by the lobby of the Kahnawake Services Complex the following day, January 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where the Lands Unit will be hosting an open house kiosk.
“We’re trying to get community input so we can know what they want to see in the future,” said Summer Martin, a lands technician assistant at the Lands Unit. “We always try to base it on community opinions and make sure that those are implemented in the future too.”
In addition to the engagement sessions, community members are also being encouraged to fill out the Land Use Planning Survey, which can be found on the MCK website and social media. The survey will remain open until Monday, January 26, at 4 p.m.
“It’s really important that everybody engages with this, because we’re planning for the future, we’re planning for our future housing, our commercial infrastructure, we don’t know what the outskirts of Kahnawake could look like and we’re trying to get that clear picture from the community of what they want common land to be used for,” Martin said. “We just really hope everybody comes out and gives their input.”
Community members who come to the engagement kiosk or participate in the focus groups will also be offered an incentive for their time in the form of Shop Kahnawake gift cards.
Space is limited in the focus group sessions, but spots are still available. Community members can sign up by contacting Martin directly at [email protected] or by phone at 450-638-8244.
