MCK issues statement supporting KORLCC

06/12/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it fully supports the Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language & Cultural Center (KORLCC) in its efforts to complete its feasibility study at its chosen site for the new Multi-Purpose Building, which will include the KORLCC, a Museum, and a Theatre.

The project, which has been in the works for several years, will fulfill several long-standing needs in the community, in a location that is perfectly suited for its intended purposes. It will provide a beautiful home for the KORLCC, an organization whose goals are to provide essential support for culture, language, history, spirituality and health. As we are all quite aware, they currently conduct their work in a decrepit and obsolete structure that should have been torn down years ago.

For years we’ve heard numerous requests, from Kahnawà:ke and beyond, for a museum to showcase our art, history and culture. This ambitious undertaking will be a first for this community. The proposed location would make it accessible for community members and visitors alike, and would fill a long-standing void in promoting, as well as preserving, what is most important to us.

The theatre would provide a much-needed forum for living arts, a significant gathering place for both performances and lectures of all types.

It is unfortunate that a small group of persons are misleading the community with misinformation and untruths regarding the site. The KORLCC has done a magnificent job of explaining the rationale of the project and its location to those who choose to listen. Their hard work and dedication should be appreciated by the entire community.

It is not a simple matter to ‘find’ another location. There is very limited community or ‘common’ land in the village area. The site chosen is perfectly suited for such a facility, as it is close to the Survival School, which would no doubt benefit greatly from its proximity.

Finally, it has become increasingly clear that community members are unhappy in the manner in which certain person or persons have conducted themselves during the past few days. Specifically, the community will not tolerate the abusive language and behavior towards women who are simply doing their jobs. The MCK deplores any such behavior and concludes that any such actions constitute an assault on all Kahnawa’kehrò:non. It is not the way we are supposed to conduct ourselves.

In closing, the MCK reiterates its firm and unconditional support of the KORLCC in this matter and sincerely hopes that the project moves forward as scheduled lest the funding arrangements expire and the project has to be rebuilt from scratch.