Actions to be taken in regard to Highway 30 Lands

08/03/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that plans continue to be developed to address the lack of movement regarding the lands on the north side of Highway 30 adjacent to the Territory.

“The mayors of the surrounding communities need to drop their lawsuit – pure and simple,” said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “While we’ve received assurances since 2007 that the land would soon be back under our full control, Canada cannot formally return it while this lawsuit exists – regardless of the fact that it has absolutely no merit.”

Chief & Council met today to discuss strategies to convince the mayors that they should drop the lawsuit. While Grand Chief Norton announced a boycott of Chateauguay businesses last month, other actions are being contemplated and organized. These include clearing the land in preparation for business opportunities; invitations to the surrounding mayors and business leaders to meet with Chief & Council; setting up meetings with provincial leaders; and notifying the citizens of the surrounding communities of the reasons for any actions being contemplated.  

“Mark my words: this is not something that is going to be forgotten in a few weeks or months,” he concluded. “This is top priority. Too much is at stake to let this fall off the table.”