‘Urgent’ virtual meeting called on lawmaking
The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) majority has called a community meeting to be held online tonight (Friday) and broadcast live on Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR) 101.7 FM, in a bid to clarify what Council chiefs have branded “misleading or false” information about the new lawmaking process.
The Kanesatake Law-Making Process (KLMP) was passed on February 19. A draft of the process, which in itself is Kanesatake’s first official law, was first revealed to the community in July of last year, after which there were a limited number of in-person and online sessions to inform community members and give them an opportunity to ask questions.
The sessions were hosted by First Peoples Law, which drafted the legislation.
Since its passage, the KLMP has drawn the ire of a number of community members, and MCK grand chief Victor Bonspille even sent a notice to local businesses deriding the lawmaking process as biased and warning it could impact them.
According to MCK chief Brant Etienne, whose windshield was smashed the night after the law’s passage was revealed in The Eastern Door, this is one reason the meeting is being presented as urgent.
“As soon as it was announced, we were made aware that Victor was going around to the stores, essentially to the cannabis owners and making innuendo and whatnot about it, essentially spreading fear and trying to get people to react in a certain way,” said Etienne. “The last time that happened is when the chaining up of the band office happened. That’s not acceptable for him or anyone else to do.”
Bonspille, who is holding his own public meeting next week at which the KLMP will be discussed, did not answer an interview request on the subject from The Eastern Door last week. He also did not answer a request this week for an interview about the meeting he called.
“I hope people come away (tonight) with a clearer understanding,” said Etienne of the KLMP. “So far, this is the best method and avenue we have to address the issues in Kanesatake, whether that’s environmental, pollution problems, whether it’s crime, drug addiction problems, whether it’s something as minor as getting the speed reduced in the community, whether it’s something like that.”
Kanehsata’kehró:non will be able to pose questions and concerns through a moderator both on Microsoft Teams and, or those tuning in on the radio, by phone. Etienne portrayed a moderator as a necessity to keep things on track.
“We know that in-person community meetings leave a lot to be desired,” said Etienne, who dismissed concerns that a meeting that is not in person does not give people the opportunity to speak their mind.
“A lot of times, the community meetings devolve into yelling and accusations, everything like that,” he said. “We know for a fact a lot of people, especially elders and younger people, are tired of that. They don’t want to participate in community meetings where you have a small group of people yelling and berating anybody who disagrees with them.”
The virtual meeting and RKR broadcast will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with further information available on the MCK Facebook page, including an agenda, schedule, and meeting link.
“I think it’s a great medium to use to reach as many people as possible and in a safe way,” said Karahkóhare Syd Gaspe, president of Mohawk MultiMedia Inc., which oversees the radio station.
“It is the first time that RKR is doing something like this. I have invited a panel of three main speakers into the studio so that the audio is of good quality – the image as well, being on Teams.”
He said he believes this format can help more people get involved in community meetings, which tend to be poorly attended, but emphasized that RKR is non-partisan.
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“We will broadcast a disclaimer stating that the views and opinions do not necessarily represent the views of RKR and of MMM, as we are an autonomous, non-political organization.”
A separate meeting called by MCK grand chief Victor Bonspille for next Tuesday, March 11, will be held in person at 6:30 p.m. at the Ratihén:te High School gym.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
