Category: Featured

Board of Directors Election Day for the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre has been moved to Tuesday, the day after the long weekend. It was to have been held this week but had to be postponed due to a day-of-vote technical problem. It’s the first try for KMHC at a hybrid election, where you can vote in-person at the hospital or online. They successfully held a completely digital election in the first year of the pandemic. If you’d like to cast your ballot that way, you’ll need to contact Shawnee Jacobs or her assistant at extension 2201 at the KMHC. Voting is open from 10 am to 2 pm, next Tuesday, September 6th. The 3 nominees for the 2 open Board positions are Arnold Lazare, Kim Martin and Frank McComber

The appointment of a new Supreme court justice has received some kind words of support from Kahnàwake. The newest Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada is Michelle O’Bonsawin, who begins her first day as a member of Canada’s highest court today. Lawyer Tonya Perron, elected official with the Mohawk Council of Kahnàwake, sits on the Justice portfolio is positive that an Indigenous voice will be heard at the highest court in the land:

“The diversity of the Supreme Court Justices plays an huge role in the decision-making, so, hopefully this certainly will add that Indigenous element to those decisions and the consideration of Indigenous peoples when the matters before the court are matters that touch particularly Indigenous people so that’s why this is very exciting.”

Perron suggesting that such an appointment can be inspiring for the next generation:

“I know for a fact that we have at least one young lady from our community that is studying law to become a lawyer and maybe that’s a dream of hers to eventually reach that level and now that door has been opened, so absolutely positive all the way around and it’s going to be very interesting to see her style of decision-making.”

In a letter sent out yesterday, Ohén:ton I:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer offered congratulations on behalf of both the MCK and the community. O’Bonsawin is the first Indigenous person appointed to sit as a Supreme Court Justice.

The Honoré Mercier Bridge will see a complete night closure of the access ramp coming from the span towards Châteauguay, starting Tuesday night at 9 p.m. with work expected to last until Wednesday, August 31st at 5 a.m. The closure of the access ramp coming from the Mercier to Châteauguay is for inspection work.

With mental health issues surging, nurturing mental wellness has become a top priority for the community. Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services is there to support those who might be experiencing difficulties during these ongoing strange-times by organizing a community walk to encourage unity amongst one another.  KSCS has partnered with community and non-local organizations to provide resources and support in an effort to eliminate stigmas associated with mental health and addictions. With that, KSCS is encouraging all Kahnawa’kehró:non to walk in solidarity towards a healthier future and are reaching out for you to participate in tomorrow’s community event: Walking Towards Recovery.

The event will run from 11am to 2:30 pm tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Sports Complex grounds (Arena). The setup will be similar to The Indigenous Block Party and our K1037 Family Fun Day Events. Kara Diabo, Prevention Worker for addiction from KSCS, on event details:

“We’ll have about 25 organizations set-up on the ground so people can walk around and get different resources, there will be giveaways and a lot of networking opportunities. We also are going to have a walking path set-up, so it’s going to be similar to the ‘Purple-Ribbon Walk,’ where people can walk as much as they want, it’s a socializing event, really just getting that physical activity in, because we know there’s a lot of greats links between physical activity and how you feel.”

The event will run from 11am to 2:30 pm tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Sports Complex grounds (Arena). The setup will be similar to The Indigenous Block Party and our K1037 Family Fun Day Events. Some of the activities include: A walk to promote all aspects of wellbeing; a free BBQ lunch. Diabo on some of the incentives to join in the walk:

“We’re going to have some free lunch there, we’re going to have corn on the cob and some Italian sausage, so that should be nice. We have Primary Prevention will be doing the cooking. We have a dj on-site, so DJ Sky will be there playing some music, he’s going to have speakers too. We have Black Box Gaming coming, we invited KSS to come, it’s their orientation day and their looking at trying to bring students.”

Organizations can showcase their mental health/ addiction services (or provide support/volunteer at the event); Stickers to celebrate community members who are on the path to recovery; A harm reduction pop-up booth; Guest speakers; and wellness prize giveaways. The KSCS Mental health Walk towards recovery is on tomorrow. Food friends and Fun.

Elections that were set for today for the Kateri Memorial Hospital Center’s Board of Directors are off. Lisa Westaway is the Executive Director of the KMHC on what went wrong:

“Unfortunately, we have 2 seats available, however, the system is only allowing a vote for 1 seat. Therefore, in order to ensure a fair election we would like to cancel the election immediately and reschedule.”

When will the new election date for the board take place, Westaway says the details are being worked out:

“We’re just in the process of finalizing the date it’ll either be late this week or early next week.”

As for the votes that were already submitted:

“No, those votes will be null and void and as we start the new election, we’ll be starting fresh.”

The election was to fill 2 Community Representative positions on the Board, with 3 nominations that were put forward by the Monday, August 15^th deadline. The vote was being held through:  www.electionbuddy.com for those on the Kahnàwake Kanien’kehá:ka registry. The 3 nominees are Arnold Lazare, Kim Martin and Frank McComber. Martin has worked as a nurse for 17 years, and Lazare has been on the board for the past 9 years.  McComber is a former elected official with the Mohawk Council of Kahnàwake.

High Drama over the weekend setting social media abuzz as a high-speed chase was heard and seen throughout town. The Peacekeepers received a call reporting a local male passed out behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado on Hwy 132 at the intersection of Mohawk Trail/Blackberries. Kyle Zachary is public relations officer with the Kahnàwake Peacekeepers:

“It all began around 10:20 on the Saturday evening August 27th, we received a call about a male passed out at the wheel on Highway 132. So, officers were responding to the call and we received another call from the original caller to state that he had tried to wake-up the driver and the driver woke up and drove away.”

The driver of the vehicle fled up the Mercier Bridge, colliding with a jersey barrier and a motorcyclist, who was not injured but received damages to his vehicle. The culprit was identified and is in custody:

“It is a local male, he is known to officers. Officers were able to identify him visually. He’s in his early 20’s. We can’t release any information on him just yet, he’s being held and he will appear before a justice today.”

21-year-old Chase Brascoup has been formally charged with flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation, failure to stop at the scene of an accident and theft of a motor vehicle. His next appearance is November 24th in Longueuil Court. The pursuit was abandoned in town when the risks became too high through residential areas with the suspect reaching speeds that appeared to be in excess of 80mph or 100+ km’s/hr.

Kahnawà:ke Animal Control Services recently picked up two dead foxes, on Tekakwitha Island and South Creek Road. Both animals presented with mange, but they’re still treating the cause of death as unknown at this time. Both foxes were sent for testing to rule out Distemper/Rabies. These viruses are preventable if vaccinated against them. There is no vaccine for mange, but it is treatable.

ACS says this is a good time to make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date. They’ve scheduled a vaccine clinic for Sunday, September 11th, by appointment only. They’ll talk to you about costs when you make your appointment.

There was vandalism reported over the weekend at Kateri School. The Kahnàwake Education Center property was vandalized over the weekend of August 20-21. Vandals destroyed parts of the KEC outside terrace attached to the main building beside Kateri School.  Destroyed property included metal tables and the railings enclosing the seating area. The KEC is reviewing security footage and will be working closely with the Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers to work on a restorative process and resolution to this file.

Day 2 of roadwork, with the JCCBI and MCK reminding you that Old Malone Highway is closed today until 4pm and will shut again tomorrow, Wednesday, August 24^th, from 6am until 4pm. The closure is in place East of the CP Rail Tunnel to the intersection of the 132. A detour via the 132/138 Service Road will be in place during the time the work is being performed. (You are asked to drive with caution and slow down when entering the mobile work zones and respect the Move-Over Law when you see flashing lights.

The planned work is subject to change due to weather conditions, operational constraints or work progress

Soil sampling will be carried out in two locations in the Clay Mountains area with the scheduled work to include excavating pits with an excavator as well as soil sample collection according to KEPO. All pits will be restored before the end of each workday. The work launches today and will last until Thursday, August 25^th. Assistance from a local contractor and oversight by the consulting firm Arcadis while a KEPO representative will also be on-site to observe the project.

As for soil samples, those will be analyzed to inform for better soil management decisions. During the sampling process, KEPO is asking the community to be mindful of machinery in the area and avoid active work zones.

For questions, you are asked to contact KEPO at: 450-635-0600 or environmentprotection@mck.ca