Quebec Agrees to Participate in Seigneury Negotiations

02/07/2008

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke has announced major developments on the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis file.

Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle, Jr. received a hand-delivered letter yesterday from Quebec Native Affairs Minister Benoit Pelletier outlining three points: 1) that the Government of Quebec has agreed to participate in the negotiation of the grievance, 2) Quebec intends to “contribute to finding a solution to the need of the Mohawks of Kahnawake to expand the Kahnawake reserve by means of an addition of lands” and, 3) Quebec is interested in discussing the question of constituted rents and arrears on Seigneury lands.

“This is a major breakthrough in our negotiation process,” said Chief Delisle. “We have long held the position that Quebec needs to sit at the table in order to settle this issue. We are quite pleased that they have agreed to do so.”

The letter is very conciliatory in nature. “The Government of Québec intends to seize this opportunity and to participate in the resolution of an episode that has adversely affected for far too long its relations with the Mohawks of Kahnawake. Québec is ready to contribute positively to the search for a settlement,” wrote Minister Pelletier.