The Kahnawake Fire Brigade says the fire risk is very high because of the hot and dry conditions in Quebec. This risk applies in Tiioweroton as well. Whishe Stacey is a Captain with the KFB who is asking Kahnawakero:non to be vigilant. Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, is warning people to be careful and to avoid lighting outdoor fires.
Since mid-April, SOPFEU recorded 152 fires in Quebec, affecting 142.5 hectares of forest.
Upgrades to the Kahnawà:ke Sports Complex are on the docket, with a January 2024 completion date planned. The Sports and Recreation Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke making the announcement of new upgrades and renovations planned for the Sports Complex. Arena building updates are made possible by a financial contribution from Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) through their Child and Family Services fund amounting to: $333,000 dollars. Some of the areas that will be part of the upgrade:
Director of Sports and Recreation Roiatate Horn saying that: “the upgrades will breathe new life into one of the longest-standing hubs of Kahnawà:ke sports.” Ratsénhaienhs Harry Rice proudly stating that: “this will greatly enhance accessibility and safety, as well as make it a better experience for visitors and players alike.”
The Ministère des Transports says that the Mercier Bridge will be down to 1 lane in either direction for slab repair work. The Airlie entrance towards Kahnawake will be closed. The work begins at 2 am on Saturday, lasting until 5 am on Monday. The 138-ramp to the 20 West will be closed again this weekend as well from 11:59 tonight to 5 am on Monday.
The Ville-Marie expressway (Route 136) will be closed in both directions so that workers can install a steel structure in the central part of the Saint-Laurent Boulevard overpass. And that’s not all. The Turcot Interchange ramp from the 20 east for the 136 east will too be closed from Friday at 11:30 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m., to allow construction to be carried out in the interchange at the same time.
The Sources exit from the 20 West is also closed for the weekend. And a reminder that on the Trans-Canada in the West-Island of Montreal, that the 40 east is closing from this weekend until December with all traffic being diverted to narrower lanes on the opposite side of the highway between Morgan and St Charles.
The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) will be conducting Fish and Fish Habitat Monitoring as a part of the Aquatic Stewardship Program starting on May 29th, lasting until June 9th. This year’s surveys will focus on both the North Creek (Whákera’s Creek) and Delormier Creek. KEPO staff will be using non-lethal sampling methods including minnow traps, hoop nets, electrofishing, and the collection of water samples for eDNA analysis. All healthy native fish will be released back into the stream quickly after identification and measurement. Hoop nets will be deployed such that any air-breathing bycatch such as beavers and turtles will have access to the air. Staff, equipment and all vehicles will be clearly marked, with KEPO requesting some assistance from the community, who are being asked not to disturb the deployed equipment. Kahnawakero:non are encouraged to approach KEPO staff to discuss the creeks, fish and the Aquatic Stewardship Program.
For more information, KEPO can be reached at: 450-635-0600 or via email at: environmentprotection@mck.ca
A large portion of the Elected Mohawk Council of Kahnawake are in Montreal today to lend their voices in opposition to the Quebec Government’s attempts to propose a bill that protects Indigenous Languages. Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer:
“The message that we’re conveying here, as a matter of fact we’re not participating fully in his session, we’re having our own that is in-line with AFNQL and other Chiefs in the region who have a similar opinion that we don’t want Quebec moving forward, in these sessions that were happening. We felt it important to come here and thell the Quebec Minister that we’re not in support and hopefully that is the position that is carries, because that is the position that I’ve heard from the AFNQL Chiefs in Assembly, that it’s our law, our voice our responsibility to protect Indigenous languages, not the Quebec Government.”
They are attending a conference on indigenous languages and revitalization at Bonaventure hotel. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke maintains its position that all barriers, including the application of the French Charter, be removed. Since its introduction in 1977, Quebec’s French Charter has resulted in the imposition of several challenges to Indigenous communities. With Bill 96, Amendments to the French Language Charter, these barriers are only further increased.
Janice Beauvais has been reappointed Commissioner to the Interim Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke announcing Beauvais’ reappointment to a two-year term, which will expire on May 23rd, 2025. Her previous term as commissioner was scheduled to end 2 days ago on May 23rd. Beauvais had expressed interest in continuing for an additional two-years to ensure consistency for the Interim Commission.
The appointment was made by consensus at the recent Council meeting that was held on Tuesday, May 23rd.
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke has announced the appointment of Rhonda Kirby to the Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board for a three-year term at the recent MCK Council meeting held this past Tuesday, May 23rd. Kirby’s appointment completes the three-member board, with previously appointed members Tara Jacobs, who was reappointed on June 20th, 2022, and David Diabo, who was appointed on December 5th of last year. The Cannabis Control Board is responsible for regulating, enforcing, and administering the Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Law. Members are responsible for understanding local, federal, and provincial laws concerning cannabis and will administer this Law in the best interest of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke in accordance with the highest principles of health, safety, security, honesty, and integrity.
In Kanesatake there was unusual police presence at the band office and the health center today. Officers who were mainly investigators from The Financial Crimes Unit (‘Division des Enquires sur les Crimes Economique), were supported by other police units. Police in unmarked vehicles were at the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) band office and Kanesatake Health Center, with a post on the MCK’s Facebook page advising community members to refrain from trying to access the areas. The police unit executed search warrants for the ERU Investigation. The Grand Chief and the health center general manager were made aware of the operation early this morning and cooperated with Investigators. Grand Chief Victor Akwirente Bonspille saying that a fraud investigation was opened after he initiated a forensic audit into financial actions under his predecessor Serge Otsi Simon and his council. The operation lasted a number of hours with some offices and areas of the building were not accessible to the public and employees.
A small carnivorous mammal situation is affecting the former Rabaska road area. Kahnawake Animal Control is letting the community know that there have been reported sightings of Fisher Cats in that area and are urging residents to keep pets inside for their safety and to be extra cautious in the area until this situation is resolved. Animal Control will be working on removing the animals in the coming days. Brandi Rice is an Animal Control Officer:
“People are concerned about pets and wildlife that have been going missing. This issue came about on Friday. I’ve been in the process of getting everything organized to try and try them as safely as possible. I’m asking the community, Friday morning, to make sure that everybody has their pet secure indoors or tied up outside so this way we do not trap anybody’s pets.”
Animal Control will be setting up traps in the area on Friday and is asking that you keep your pets inside especially on that day. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 514-232-3307.
There is a Recreation Bay Wave Monitoring Study underway, and The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) wants you to be aware of equipment you might see at the Bay. In collaboration with the University of Ottawa, Wave Monitoring equipment will be installed in the Recreation Bay from today until next Friday, May 26th. The monitors will help KEPO better understand the effects of seaway traffic on the Bay by measuring depth, wave height, and (turbidity) muddiness. Cinder blocks or iron stakes might be used in order to anchor the equipment. You are being asked to avoid interacting with these submerged instruments. They will be removed after one week of data collection.
For more information you can call KEPO at 450-635-0600 or via email at environmentprotection@mck.ca