MCA Extends Appreciation to First Responders

Volume 5 Issue 2 SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE Enniska / February 2015 MCA Extends Appreciation to First Responders n light of recent com- Imunity tragedies, the Mohawk Council of Ak- wesasne would like to extend its sincere apprecia- and community members tion to all first responders assistance for days on who selflessly gave their inend a searchunder foroppressive missing snowmobilersweather conditions, and laterfirst commitment, dedica- to battle a house fire. The was and is displayed by tion, and selflessness that women is honorable and instrumentalfirst responding to ourmen com and- Niawenko:wa to the Ho- gansburg-Akwesasnemunity. Vol- First responders serve an important role in the community. MCA is proud to have many members of the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department on staff, along with police officers and ambulance personnel (EMTs). These employee were honored unteer Fire Department at an MCA Spirit Awards Ceremony in their honor last year. (Photo) also led the search effort who battled the fire and of the community who offered their assis- to the assisting agencies, including the Fort tance Thank by you joining as well the to search the countless on their members personal for the snowmobilers. Also niawenko:wa snowmobiles, cook- - ing food for the large Covington Fire and EMS, Bombay Fire and search party, or assist- EMS, Franklin County Dispatch and Emer ing during either trag- Table of Contents gency Services Office, Franklin County Car 2 Special Edition Introduction from the Grand Chief...................... Page 3 and 14, St. Regis Mohawk Police, Parishville You are all appreciat- Temporary Toll Plaza Detour and Ambulance Route.................... Page 5 Fire and Rescue, Lisbon Fire and Rescue,- edy in any way. Mohawk Council Resolutions...................................................... Page 6 Potsdam Fire, Massena Fire, St. Lawrence - Council Meeting Roundtable Reports........................................... Page 8 ed, niawenko:wa. Tsikaristisere/Dundee Land Claim Report..................................... Page 14 CanadianCounty Cars Coast 26 Guardand 27, Auxiliary, the Surete and Du the Que Ak- thies to the families Ontario Requiring Renewal of Old OHIP Cards........................... Page 17 bec, Roger Lalonde - former member of the- Our deepest sympa Department of Tehotiiennawakon Report..................................... Page 20 Justice Department Law Development Report.............................. Page 24 wesasne Mohawk Police and Akwesasne Mo who have lost loved Online Voting Underway for “Couples Property Law”.................. Page 29 hawk Ambulance Unit. ones. Preventative Home Maintenance................................................. Page 36 MCA Youth Employee Profile: Abraham Francis............................ Page 43 MOHAWK COUNCIL OF AKWESASNE Wat’kwanonweraton/Greetings Special Edition Introduction From the Grand Chief She:kon, She:kon, Grand Chief Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell It’s my pleasure to introduce this month’s issue of In recent months, our community has experienced a great amount of tragedy and mourn- Kana:takon District Onkwe’ta:ke―the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s coming. This hardship period began in December and has affected community members, staff and Chief Larry King Chief Florence Phillips munity newsletter. I hope everyone is in good spirits and chiefs. Unfortunately, these tragedies have also impacted Council’s dialogue with the commu- has done their best to maintain their health and stay Chief Julie Phillips-Jacobs nity as we have cancelled several meetings out of respect for mourning and funeral services. Chief Steve Thomas warm during these long, cold winter months. Eventually While community members are understanding of the need to offer this respect and recognize Kawehno:ke District the warmth will return. According to Shubenacadie Sam― grieving periods, Council also realizes the importance of keeping a continuous flow of informa- Chief Abram Benedict Nova Scotia’s famous groundhog and Punxsutawney Phil― tion to the community. Therefore, we are offering this special edition of Onkwe’ta:ke that con- Chief Brian David Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog, who each saw their Chief JoAnne Jocko tains several pages of program and initiative updates that would normally be reserved for shadow on Groundhog Day, there will be six more weeks of Chief Louise Thompson General Meeting discussions. Staff and Council met to determine what type of information and winter. But, if you prefer to follow the weather prediction Tsi Snaihne District updates were most needed in the community regarding current affairs and projects, and we Chief April Adams-Phillips made by Warton Willie―the famous groundhog from On- hope that we have compiled a broad range of topics that will bring all Onkwe’ta:ke readers up Chief Joe Lazore tario who didn’t see his shadow, it will be a short winter. I to date. Chief Karen Loran prefer to think positively and hope it’ll be over sooner than Chief William Sunday later. Here’s a quote by Doug Larson that sums it all up: Please review these reports and if you have questions or wish to have discussion, please attend Administration “Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” our next General Meeting, which is scheduled for March 12, 2015 at the Snye Recreation Center, Sheree Bonaparte starting at 6:30 p.m. Many updates will be provided verbally at the meeting and community On a more serious note, the personnel of MCA’s Administration 2 Building have now been relocated into Executive Director members are encouraged to participate in the meeting discussions. two separate buildings at the G&L Complex, located at 29 and 33 Third Street in Kana:takon. Business for Jay Benedict Director, the most part has carried on as usual with only minor disruptions, when packing took place, and again We wish to extend our sincere condolences and good thoughts to all those affected by our community’s recent tragedies. Technical Services when the physical move was completed. Council, as well as the staff of Mohawk Government, the Commu- Sincerely, Joyce King nications Unit, and ARRO can be contacted through our receptionist at 33 Third Street or by calling 613- Director, 575-2348. Applications for residency letters will also now be accepted at this location. Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell Justice Department Heather Phillips This issue of Onkwe’ta:ke contains the following features that may of interest to you: MCA’s Admin 2 Staff Relocated to New Offices Director, ✼ Ontario Requirement for Health Card Renewals of Red+White OHIP Cards Housing Department ✼ Information on Council Member’s Salaries Open House Scheduled for March 9th Robyn Mitchell ✼ Online Voting is Underway for Couples Property Law he Mohawk Council of Akwesasne would Director, ✼ Traffic Changes in Cornwall Due to Bridge Demolition like to inform the community that all em- Community & Social Services office buildings at 29 Third (River) Street the new offices. ✼ Hunting on Other First Nations Territory - and 33 Third (River) Street. This is the same April White ✼ January Report from Department of Technical Services - Director, ployees of Mohawk Government, Aboriginal street as the now-closed Admin 2 Building. If you have any questions regarding the re ✼ Preventative Home Maintenance please do not hesitate to contact Mohawk Department of Health Rights and Research Office (ARRO), the Com The ARRO staff are now located at the DTS location of the Admin #2 building offices, Dr. Barry Montour My own monthly activities and updates are also included within this issue, as usual. I am pleased to provide munications Unit and Council (chiefs) are Maintenance Building on Sweetgrass Lane - Director, this information to the community each month, even if it’s just to keep you in the loop on the issues and T An open house will be held on Monday, March Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board now in their new locations in the village of past the police station and health facility. Government Manager Wilfred Jamie Bay, of Education topics I’ve been busy addressing―whether they are district issues, portfolio issues, or community issues. In Kana:takon. Communications Manager Shannon Round this way, I hope you will feel more prepared to ask questions related to these topics at District Meetings support staff, the Communications Unit, and Jerry Swamp Council Chiefs, the Mohawk Government 9, 2015 from 10 to 3. Community members point or ARRO Manager Cactus Cook Sunday Chief of Police, and General Meetings, and feel secure to raise any new issues or concerns with me or any other Council staff and chiefs, and become familiar with are invited to visit the three buildings, meet at 613-575-2348. Akwesasne Mohawk Police Ser- member at any time. vice ARRO manager are now stationed at two G&L James Ransom In closing, I encourage you to read through this issue of Onkwe’ta:ke to maintain awareness of Council Director, and MCA’s activities. Together as a community we patiently await the coming of Spring so we can get back MCA Housing Department Extends Hours Tehotiiennawakon outside and enjoy outdoor activities, including get-togethers and celebrations. extended hours in order to increase their Onkwe’ta:ke (For the People) – Housing Department will be extending their Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Skennen, monthly community newsletter is The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s If you have any questions, please contact the published by the Communications Unit. For more information or to Abram Benedict, Kawehno:ke District

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