The current fire conditions in Kahnawà:ke and Tioweró:ton are, ‘extreme.’ As a result, the Kahnawake Fire Brigade (KFB) has issued a total Fire Ban for both Kahnawà:ke and Tioweró:ton until further notice. With the dry weather conditions and active fires happening across the province, it is prudent that we act accordingly to avoid any potential losses,” said Fire Chief David Scott.
You are asked to report any fires to the Kahnawake Peacekeepers at 450-632-6505.
The body of an adult man was found this morning in the Châteauguay River, in Sainte-Martine, here in the Montérégie. It was a citizen who saw the body from Saint-Joseph, which runs along the river, around 5:30 a.m. The witness contacted the emergency services to let them know what he had just seen. Local firefighters were dispatched to the scene to recover the body. Forensic identification technicians from the Sûreté du Québec were preparing to go to the scene this morning to try and collect elements that could explain the death. Sergeant Valérie Beauchamp, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec saying that: “At this stage, all hypotheses are being studied.” According to information, the victim had not been reported missing before his body was found.
Expect various Mercier Bridge and corridor closures this coming weekend. Starting tonight at 8pm until Saturday at 4am, the 132 west up-ramp towards the Montreal bound Mercier Bridge will be completely closed, with a detour via the 138 east. Then Saturday, from 8pm until Sunday at 4am, the 132 east down-ramp (towards A-30/La Prairie) will be completely closed, with a detour via the 138. Finally, on Sunday 8pm until Monday at 4am, the 138 east up-ramp (towards Montreal) will be completely closed with a detour via the 132.
In the Ville-Saint-Pierre (VSP) Interchange: the 138 E for the 20 west will be closed as of tonight at 11:59 until Monday at 5am. The 138 east between Clement and the VSP Interchange closing as well from tonight at 11:59 until Saturday at 7am and again on Sunday from 11pm until Monday at 5am. The 138 east between Clement and the VSP Interchange will have 1 of 2 lanes available only from Saturday at 7am to Sunday 11pm. Clement entrance to the 138 east will be closed from 11pm tonight until Monday at 5am.
The Kahnawake Fire Brigade (KFB) will be holding a Giveaway Event on Wednesday, June 7th, from 9am to 3pm or while supplies last. These supplies can actually help save your life! KFB members will be located on the lawn in front of the Fire Hall on Old Malone Highway providing free Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors to Kahnawa’kehró:non, 1 item per household. The KFB advises residents to install smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas, and test them every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries. Also, it is recommended that you talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
For further information about this Giveaway Event or fire safety in general, you can reach the KFB at 450-632-2010.
Financial support has been provided for all Kahnawà:ke athletes participating in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and The Sports and Recreation Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is elated with the news. The games being hosted in the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq People in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The contribution of $113,000 dollars through the Child and Family Services fund of Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS), has made it possible for the athletes of the Team Kahnawà:ke contingent of Team Eastern Door and the North to attend the games, taking place from July 15th to July 23rd. The athletes will be provided with uniforms and equipment; NAIG registration fees; 1 extra meal per day on top of the one provided by the NAIG; and other athlete swag.
Director of Sports and Recreation Roiahtate Horn saying that now: “athletes can focus on training for their respective sports without the burden of worrying about how they’ll need to raise funds to prepare and attend.”
The Kahnawake Youth Center is holding its 29th annual Racers for Health tomorrow. In celebration of it’s 50th anniversary. The runners, from Kateri and Karonhianonhnha schools, will kick the festivities off from that building, heading along River Road and then looping back at the town rink by the old radio station location. With the races starting at 915 they’ll wrap at 130 in the afternoon, Cheyanne McComber is the community events coordinator at the youth Center:
“It is to promote healthy lifestyles, getting physically active and as well as having fun. This year we will have some sun and heat, we’ve also requested residents to have sprinklers along the route to keep everyone cool and have a good time. We’re also going to have sprinklers inside the Youth Center’s grounds. It’s fun, we have iover 650 students registered.”
McComber says that a new system is being deployed this year:
“Choosing a new system for Races for Health, keeping track of time, every student will be assigned a tracking chip so once they cross the start line, it depends on what grade level they’re at: Nursery and Kindergarten will run around Jersey’s Chip Stand and head back towards the Youth Center. The older grades from grades 1 to 6 will run around the Town Rink and back to the Youth Center, so it is a 1 mile race.”
A reminder that during the event, River Road will be closed to traffic from 8am until 2:30pm.
There will only be 1 of 2 lanes available on the Kahnawake-bound Mercier Bridge, with the other lane closing for maintenance and inspection tonight from 9 pm until tomorrow at 5 am. The 132 to the 138-bypass road that runs underneath the Mercier Bridge, from the St-Constant side towards Chateauguay, will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday during the day for the installation of platforms under the bridge. The closures are from 9 am to 3 pm both days.
If you are coming from the Clay mountains area, you will need to take the Old Malone Highway and go through the tunnel in order to avoid being forced over the Mercier Bridge.
The Iroquois Caucus meetings are underway, with Ohén:ton Ì:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer of The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke in attendance for today’s session only, due to prior commitments. Also, in attendance from the community are Kenitsénhaienhs Tonya Perron and Jessica Lazare for the meetings being held in Six Nations both today and tomorrow, Wednesday. As for the agenda, items being discussed will include updates on the Jay Treaty Border Alliance; updates on the Harvest Working Group; Ontario Wetland Evaluation System; and a Six Nations Health Presentation on Food Sovereignty.
The Iroquois Caucus consists of elected Councils from Kahnawà:ke, Akwesasne, Kanehsatà:ke, Tyendinaga, Wahta, Six Nations, and the Oneida of the Thames.
There is a ‘heat event’ declared by Environment Canada for this week. Expect generally hot and sunny daytime weather and nights that will be warmer, compared to seasonal norms. Temperatures will be especially high in urban areas. With the weather remaining dry, there will be a limit on the added effect of moisture on the temperature felt. During high heat events, it is recommended that you drink abundant amounts of water, before feeling thirsty. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with chronic underlying medical conditions and those working or exercising outdoors are at a higher risk.
A reminder that you should never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle and to continue monitor alerts and forecasts issued.
The Rte. 132 to Rte. 138 bypass road underneath the Mercier Bridge, from the St-Constant side towards Chateauguay will be closed Wednesday and Thursday during the day for the installation of platforms under the bridge. The closures are from 9 am to 3 pm both days. If you are coming from the Clay Mountains area in Kahnawake you will need to take the Old Malone Highway and go through the tunnel in order to avoid being forced over the Mercier Bridge.