Chiefs to attend Iroquois Caucus press conference in Ottawa

03/03/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke would like to inform the community that Ratitsénhaienhs Joe Tokwiro Norton, Bobby Patton and Clinton Phillips will be attending a press conference called by the Iroquois Caucus taking place at 2:30pm today in the National Press Gallery in Ottawa.

The Iroquois Caucus will be addressing the media to outline its strong opposition to a Land Claim Agreement currently in the process of ratification between the Algonquins of Ontario, the Federal government, and Provincial government of Ontario.

Among the numerous longstanding serious concerns with the proposed agreement: portions of the lands in question overlap with lands in which Iroquois exercise rights and will be adversely affected; the agreement is being negotiated by parties that are not the proper and true rights holders; and, the agreement sets a dangerous precedent for impacting Iroquois rights, and goes against the principles we hold as Indigenous Peoples to protect the land.

Presentations will be made by Grand Chief Joe Tokwiro Norton and other Caucus Grand Chiefs and Chiefs.

The Chiefs will be back in the office on Friday, March 4th.

The Iroquois Caucus consists of elected Council Chiefs from Akwesá:sne, Kahnawà:ke, Kanehsatá:ke, Tyendinaga, Wahta, Six Nations and the Oneida of the Thames.