Chiefs Approve Membership Action Plan

08/25/2008

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke agreed this morning to support an action plan to establish the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law’s future development using the new Community Decision Making Process.

“Since the suspension of the Council of Elders last year, it is important to re-establish the Law and to develop amendments that will allow for the improved functioning of the Council of Elders,” said portfolio chief Rhonda Kirby. “The independently-prepared Operational Review of the Council of Elders came up with several recommendations. These recommendations will be the basis for improvements.”

The plan includes the official placement of the issue onto the Legislative Calendar; the hiring of a project coordinator; the research and preparation of options and alterations for changes to the Law; and the actual Community Decision Making Process.

Implementation of the plan is expected to begin within a month.

“In a nutshell, we need to amend this Law, Chief Kirby added. “And, in order to do that, we’ll need the community to participate directly.”