Consensus reached on Section 12 at Membership Law Hearing

02/10/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non that consensus was reached on Section 12 (“Application Process/Recognition”)  at last evening’s meeting on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law.

Approximately 25 community members participated in the discussions and deliberations on the remaining five clauses in Section 12. All clauses were accepted as drafted, with the exception of the term ‘indigenous lineage,’ which will be replaced by ‘Onkwehón:we lineage’ throughout the law, with a definition to reflect its meaning. It was unanimously agreed that the new term better reflected the spirit of the law.

Though consensus was reached on the actual clauses, the definition of ‘Kanien’keháka Great Grandparent,’ specifically its reference to ‘Kanien’keháka lineage,’ will be revisited at the next meeting, as it was felt that it needed to be clarified to give more detail. There was concern that the term ‘Has Kanien’keháka lineage’ is too vague and may be open to interpretation.

There were a small number of suggestions to make some changes to the contents of the draft, but these were not accepted. 

“The meeting was a success,” said Membership Portfolio Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “Once again, the participants were fully engaged in the discussion and debate while remaining respectful throughout – which is how the Community Decision Making Process (CDMP) is supposed to work.”

The next meeting, which will be the eighth in the First Hearing phase of the CDMP, will take place on Tuesday, 23 Enníska/February 2016 at the Golden Age Club from 6pm to 8:30pm. The tentative agenda includes Sections 13 (‘Instatement and Reinstatement’) and 14 (‘Adopted Children’), plus relevant Definitions as they arise. Copies of the draft law are available at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com .