Trees Felled

Controversy has arisen over the cutting down of trees to begin construction of the multi-purpose building along highway 132 in Kahnawake. The Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkhwa Language & Cultural Center and its partners (‘the Building Committee’) issued a press release late yesterday saying that they always plan to protect and preserve trees from the site. However, Additional trees had to be removed in order to regrade the site where the building and parking lot will be placed. And that The Kahnawake Fire Brigade, due to Safety Regulations required a fire lane around the building, as an Emergency Fire Route. The release says there are 74 trees that are covered and being protected for transplant. Also: “As promised, there will also be two trees planted for every tree removed either on site or in the community.” Brayden Homer is on grade 11 Student Council at KSS. They are hoping to protest the removal of the trees:

“What I see is that they cut down a lot more trees than they were supposed to do and then they cut down a lot of maple trees too near the sugar shack.”

K1037 News reached out to the project Manager who has yet to agree to comment. They had an information session with the Executive Director of the KORLCC, Lisa Phillips and Trina C. Diabo who is part of the building committee.