Two new gaming commissioners 

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) can go back to business as usual now that there are once again three commissioners assigned to the body. 

The licensing and regulatory authority responsible for land-based and online gaming in Kahnawake was down to just one commissioner by late October, leaving the KGC unable to host its regularly scheduled meetings. 

The three voting members now include Donna Delaronde McComber and Heather Bauersfeld, alongside Janice Beauvais, who’s volunteered her time at the commission since 2022.

“I'm really prioritizing making a big investment into the KGC, with additional staff, additional training, and additional technology, so that they're able to continue to fulfill their mandate to regulate the gaming industry,” said Paul Rice, the Council chief who oversees appointments to the commission. “So having additional commissioners is part of that.”

McComber co-owns the JFK Quarry alongside her husband Frank McComber, and the two share a seat on the capital campaign for the new cultural centre. She also previously owned the Khanata Gas Bar, but has since sold it.  

“Coming from a business background, this is going to be a real adventure for me,” she said. “It’s all about growth. You want to help people to grow. It’s not about your personal thoughts or feelings, it’s about what’s good for the community. And that has to come first and foremost, always.”

Bauersfeld spent 19 years at Kahnawake’s Caisse Populaire, where she held the dual role of compliance officer and commercial accounts manager up until her departure in 2021. 

“I just love new challenges,” said Bauersfeld, also the chairperson of Tewatohnhi'saktha. “I've worked in various areas and industries in the community, and this is one area that interested me. And with my financial background, I thought that I could contribute something to the commission.”

Both her and McComber briefly crossed paths while previously serving on the board of the Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF).

The two outgoing commissioners are Daryl Leclaire, who’s served since 2017, and Frank Phillips, who had been there since 2021. 

Both told The Eastern Door their decision to leave came down to no longer being able or willing to take on the time commitment required of the job, which is essentially unpaid, except for a small stipend.  

“There's always been a balancing act between commission activities and ‘real life,’ so it's been a constant evaluation of the time commitment, the demands of the job, and what I could give,” said Leclaire, who earned a director title at Tewatohnhi'saktha two years ago. “Having taken on new responsibilities elsewhere, that challenge was increasingly leaning towards not being able to make a proper commitment, which the commission didn't deserve.”

He said nonetheless that he’s “forever grateful” for the seven years spent at the KGC. 

“Working with the commission has been amazing,” he said. “The staff are dedicated, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking, and knowing the individuals who have been appointed, I have no doubts the commission will continue to thrive and lead moving forward.”

Asked what he wants to see from the new commissioners he said, “Listen to the staff. They're experienced. They know the regulations inside out and the history of gaming in Kahnawake.”

Phillips said he was considering renewing his term, but decided in the end it was time to throw in the towel. 

“The Council was dragging their feet on the reappointment, and I just told them to not even consider me. I'm retired, I’ve been retired for two and a half years,” said Phillips, who left the Kahnawake Peacekeepers after 40 years as first a dispatcher and later an information technologist. “The KGC job is unpaid, and I didn't need the stress and extra work.”

There was a lengthy delay in getting commissioners assigned to the KGC because of the elections held over the summer. The new Council chiefs then had to undergo weeks of orientation training after that. That meant Rice, on the gaming file, could only get to relaunching the appointment process after officially starting his role in September.

Asked what needs to change at the KGC, he said the lack of remuneration. 

“I was interim chairman, and the gaming commission definitely needs a paid full-time person in that role,” he said, adding it’s something the KGC has been asking for years from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK). “I was the only one that was available to commit the time, but not the amount of time that was necessary.”

Rice assured he’s very much open to meeting that demand. 

“The gaming industry generates millions of dollars for this community,” the Council chief said. “They operate on what I would say is a less than part-time basis, so we're looking at eventually having a full-time chairperson of the commission.”

He said they’re still looking to appoint more commissioners. Applications can be sent to him by November 15. 

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