MCK moves to Phase II of possible casino project

09/12/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Chief & Council have passed a $115,000 budget request to continue professional research into a possible land-based gaming project at the Monday, 12 Seskehkó:wa/September Council meeting. The budget is being drawn from the MCK’s Operational Reserve. (As mentioned previously, the preliminary Phase I research was done in-house, with no additional cost or budget required.)

The motion passed 8 to 1, with Chief Carl Horn objecting.

Preliminary research has clearly indicated that the most viable and potentially profitable land-based project would be a casino. More detailed and extensive professional research is required in Phase II, including a Market Feasibility Study; an Economic Impact Study; and a Social Impact Study as well as a technical survey to gauge community support and gather opinions. This work will begin immediately.

Once Phase II is completed – and if the information and findings are positive – Chief & Council would most likely call another land-based casino referendum in 2012 as the formal method of seeking community approval.

The MCK will hold a special Community Meeting on this topic on Wednesday, 28, Seskehkó:wa/September. 

As promised, the ‘Phase I’ Executive Summary is now available for any community member upon request or by accessing www.kahnawake.com.

Click Here to download the Executive Summary.

The MCK would like to remind the community that this project would be conducted under five guiding principles:
1) The collective must be the prime beneficiary;
2) No lands slated for housing developments will be used;
3) Community members shall receive a dividend;
4) Social impacts will be addressed through immediate and effective measures and; 
5) There will be independent community management of all gaming profits.