The Pines Reporter
Caretaker chief’s presence questioned
Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) caretaker council member Brant Etienne attended the annual general assembly of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) last week, but some Kanehsata’kehró:non have criticized his presence and participation at the meeting.
Funds to fight crime not for Kanesatake
A federal-provincial action plan to target the growth of organized crime exploiting Indigenous communities in Quebec does not include direct funding to Kanesatake, according to the Ministry of Internal Security, while funding for Kanesatake’s community security stays in limbo.
Death at Oka Park
A man drowned Sunday afternoon while swimming in Oka Park, despite rescue efforts by bystanders.
Council announces aid for septic upgrades
More than $3.2 million in funding towards a “first wave” of septic system upgrades for Kanehsata’kehró:non was announced by the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) on July 23.
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June 18, 2026Pines ‘ecological gift’ sessions end
The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake has finalized a series of community engagement sessions over the Pines ‘ecological gift’ land transfer to Kanesatake, with results of the community survey over the transfer expected to be published this summer.
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June 18, 2026Elementary expands school
Construction has begun at Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School on modular classrooms for staff and students in the coming months, an upgrade that will give the school more room to expand services for students.
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June 18, 2026Sisters’ superpower comes from language
When Karihwenháwi Caira Nicholas made the decision to enroll in the Ratiwennenhá:wi Kanien’kéha language immersion program three years ago, she never realized that it would inspire her younger sister to follow in her footsteps.
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June 18, 2026A decade of immersion needed
The Ratiwennenhá:wi Kanien’kéha language immersion program is celebrating 10 years of official language revitalization efforts. When students return from summer break in September, staff plan to begin developing a 10-year strategy for the future of the program.
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June 18, 2026Tilted towards the sun
For nearly three years, high schooler Jayda Lloyd has helped bring designer and classmate Aoife Swandel’s creations to life on the runway. This year, the duo has reached a new achievement, with Lloyd having the opportunity to model Swandel’s award-winning Equinox Dress.
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June 11, 2026Mature trees cut near power lines
Community members were incensed to learn that planned maintenance around power lines in the so-called “ecological gift” area of the Pines resulted in the felling of mature pine trees, with leaders suggesting changes are needed to Hydro Quebec’s communications protocol.
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June 11, 2026Urbanization plan sparks controversy
The adoption of an urbanization plan passed by Oka Council earlier this month was merely a formality, according to the city’s mayor, but it set off a firestorm online after an unsigned letter circulated in the Village area suggested it had sealed a housing development at the edge of the Pines.
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June 11, 2026Golden Star accused of violating court order
Barry Bonspille, owner of the Golden Star cannabis dispensary, has pleaded not guilty to contempt of court following allegations that he repeatedly violated the safeguard order banning work filling in the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains.
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June 11, 2026Students say shé:kon to the future
More than 150 family members, community members, elders, and language learners gathered to celebrate and honour the graduating cohort of the Ratiwennenhá:wi Kanien’kéha language immersion program over the weekend.
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June 11, 2026Reconnecting roots through Kanien’kéha
By the end of each day, Oró:te Etienne’s mouth hurt. As a child, she spent years in speech therapy learning how to pronounce difficult sounds in English. As an adult, Etienne found herself facing a similar challenge, this time while learning Kanien’kéha.
