MCK updates on education issues

12/06/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non about the issues surrounding the Election of the General Seats of the Combined Schools Committee (KCSC), and the working relationship as established by Mohawk Council Executive Directive (MCED) #32-2012/2013.

Under normal conditions the MCK delegates and entrusts the KCSC with governing and overseeing the education system in a sound fashion; however, circumstances have led to the need for MCED #32-2012-2013, thus putting the MCK and KCSC in co-management of education since September 27, 2012.

The MCK wishes to assure the community that it remains diligent in its commitment to ensure that the best interests of education are promoted, protected and carried out as effectively and efficiently as possible. Continued efforts and attempts to work collaboratively have been exhausted as a result of the KCSC’s unwillingness to work under the parameters of MCED #32-2012-2013. Therefore, Chief & Council are now faced with considering new options for moving forward. Additionally, the MCK is insisting that the Independent Investigation of the processes used by the KCSC in its removal of the Director of Education begin as soon as possible and will proceed unilaterally if necessary.

“The level of frustration we’re feeling is incredible,” said Chief Rhonda Kirby, who is on the joint working group. “The unfortunate fact of the matter is that the KCSC acknowledges that there were flaws with the election held at the Annual General Assembly but are of the opinion that ‘human error’ should be excused and that ‘everyone should just move on.’ This is the fundamental problem that the KCSC can’t seem to understand: people need to feel confident that a fair process was used. The MCK received a significant number of complaints and heard direct accounts of the mistakes that led to the decision to declare the election null and void.”

“We can’t wait any longer,” said Chief Bobby Patton, another member of the joint working group. “We need to restore the confidence of the people that the right things will be done. The only way to do this is through the Independent Investigation.”