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The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) and the Capital Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) are conducting geotechnical studies through December 20th ahead of the replacement of 4 culverts in the community. That work will only take place next fall. Tyler Moulton is the Environmental Projects Coordinator for Aquatic Habitats at KEPO:

“The reasons for replacing them are twofold: some of them are deteriorating; and we also want to make sure that new culverts that we get are going to better to pass flows during storm events, and to convey ‘low-flow’ a little bib better than the current ones do, just so we can have better flow and fish habitats in the creeks.”

The upgraded culverts will enhance creek stream flow, support aquatic habitats, and reduce flooding risks in North Creek (Whákeras Creek), Suzanne River, and the Little Suzanne River.

Several important meetings are being attended outside of the territory, requiring the attendance of the External Government Relations (EGR) Portfolio Team and Technicians from the Office of the Council of Chiefs (OCC). Today, Ohenton Í:rate ne Ratsisahiens Cody Diabo is in Ottawa attending the Iroquois Caucus General Assembly. Ratsénhaienhs Jeffrey Diabo is in Ottawa participating in preliminary discussions for the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly that is scheduled to run from today until December the 5^th. They are both joined by Nitsénhaienhs Iohahí:io Delisle and Ryan Montour, as well as OCC Technicians. Additionally, Diabo has a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anan-dasan-garee at a Kahnawà:ke/Canada Relations table.

Key agenda items for discussion at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly include: Health, Healing, and Justice: Addressing systemic challenges in healthcare, mental health, and justice for First Nations people; Infrastructure and Economic Development: Exploring solutions to improve infrastructure and create economic opportunities for First Nations communities; Lands, Rights, and Justice: Focusing on the protection of land rights, additions to reserve process, tax exemption, and support for First Nations Schools class-action; and Long Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and Jordan’s Principle: Advocating for reforms to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and rights of First Nations children and families. The Iroquois Caucus and AFN Special Chiefs Assembly are vital platforms for First Nations leaders to address pressing issues affecting their communities. The delegation is dedicated to ensuring that Kahnawà:ke’s voice is heard during these critical discussions. Diabo stating: “The presence of the entire EGR Portfolio team and some of our OCC Technicians at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly is crucial in taking full advantage of having so many political representatives all in one place. Our goal is to hold meetings and establish new and diverse political relationships at the event, and their expertise and support are essential in advancing Kahnawà:ke’s interests.”

The Delegation will return to Kahnawà:ke at the conclusion of the assembly.

The Housing Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is launching the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)-Child and Family Services Renovation Program, designed to support owner-occupied households with children and youth by addressing substandard housing conditions that may pose health and safety risks. A launch event will take place on Tuesday, December 17^th, from 10am to 6pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. In studio on Tetawartha Ryan Montour, Portfolio Chief at the MCK on

monitoring progress and determining criteria for a company to be awarded a work contract:

“It’s going to be open for tender, so there’s a lot of opportunity for local contractors to be a part of something like this. If you look at it, 15 jobs, $40,000 dollars, it can be expedited real quickly, a lot of work for the winter, through the springtime. Next year, maybe we can start it earlier, next year’s allotment we can start it earlier and we’re going to monitor the data and the successes of this program and maybe this pilot project is extended.”

Deka Moussa, Program Manager, Housing says that on the 17^th, applications will be accepted:

“We are here to complete the applications with the applicants. There are 4 eligibility criteria and we will have the KKR Office, who will be right there and tell us that you are part of the KKR. That’s one more thing that you will have there, on site. We are waiting for last minute land confirmation, so The (MCK) Land Unit will also help, give us a little push to confirm that you are a homeowner as well. So , if you come in on December 17th, we will help you and give you tools to complete the application.”

If you meet standards, even if you’ve received funding in the past, Areti Malliarou, Director of the Housing Unit, says that you can reapply as this is a new program:

“You can be re-approved because it is a new program, it’s a different program. Reapply, follow the process and if you meet the criteria and are eligible, you can benefit from this program. It’s a new opportunity, you shouldn’t miss it and we welcome all applications and the team will be working hard to cover the needs and prioritize the safety and well-being of young residents in the community.”

The program offers grants of up to $40,000 per family. In its initial year, 15 families will benefit. The plan is to expand it in ensuing years.

Some traffic information for the upcoming weekend starting with only one lane available in either direction for the Mercier Bridge starting from tonight at 11pm until 8 am Saturday morning. The Airlie exit and entrances will be open during that work. The 221 will be closed in both directions from 7 pm tonight until 7 am Saturday morning. The MTQ is installing a rumble strip in the center lane in order to reduce head on collisions on the 7.4 kms of roadway between Highway 30 and St Remi. The speed limit on Monday was also reduced to 70 km/h from the current 90 km/h. A reminder that the deadline for installing winter tires on your vehicle is this Sunday, December 1st. It would be prudent to add windshield washer fluid, a snowbrush and some ice melt in our trunk as a precautionary measure.

Proactive steps to address growing concerns over traffic and public safety in the community are being taken by Council. The MCK, in collaboration with Public Safety, Public Works and the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, are taking measures to mitigate the impacts of increased road traffic and enhance the safety of all Kahnawa’kehró:non. In addition to the approval of establishing a dedicated highway patrol division within the Kahnawake Peacekeepers and the recent change to school bus services on Route 207, some additional potential measures being considered to address traffic and public safety issues include:  The possibility of implementing a photo radar system; the banning of trucks on certain roads during peak traffic hours; closing certain residential roads during peak traffic hours; implementing pace cars on certain roads during peak traffic hours; improved monitoring and traffic control measures; installing cameras and arms on school buses; assigning a Peacekeeper vehicle to accompany school buses to increase the safety of children; and the feasibility of a toll collection system. (4pm)

Administrators at Indian Way School say they will go to the Peacekeepers with video of violators who run the stop sign in front of their school and even ignore the red flashing lights on the school bus as children are being dropped off and picked up. Alma Diabo is the Administrator at Indian Way. She says they installed cameras in late June to discourage people from dumping their garbage in the school parking lot:

“Cars have a tendency to not stop at the stop signs, they speed through. We have 2 cross walks that are not respected by the community and non-locals. It’s extremely dangerous for our students. There are times when our buses, dropping students off and cars are passing the buses, I guess it’s the same situation that they are dealing with on the 207.”

Diabo says they are doing what they can to ensure student safety:

“We’re trying everything in our power to protect our students and ensure their safety. If it takes contacting the Police and giving them license plate numbers, that’s what will need to happen. From time to time the PK’s come to the school and request video footage from us and we are always open to helping them out. Even as far as vehicles that were stolen in the neighbourhood, we provided video and I think the culprits were caught.”

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre initiated a lockdown just before 6 pm yesterday. According to executive director Valerie Diabo, it was on account of a threat to shoot up the hospital. That threat was made to the receptionist at 5:48 pm. In a statement, the Hospital immediately activated safety protocols and The Peacekeepers were called to the scene:

“Our Outpatient services will be closed for today because the investigation is ongoing, we’re waiting to hear back from the PK’s. Our Doctors to make phone calls for the appointments that were made for today and if they feel that somebody does need to be seen, we will have a Doctor in-house and a Nurse to be able to see the patients that  need to be seen.”

The Peacekeepers lifted the lockdown just before 7 pm, but remained on scene all night. And an investigation is underway. Additional patrols are scheduled to continue today, with The KMHC Clinic closed as a precautionary measure. The Pharmacy remained open, but only for those whose medications were due today.

After 18 years, Erica Delisle is leaving the Mohawk Council. She has resigned as the Director of Financial Services effective at the end of the year. Erica began her tenure at the MCK in 2006 with the Human Resources Unit, later moving into her director position in 2009. Executive Director Onerahtókha Marquis on receiving the news:

“It came as a surprise to me, so we were obviously sad to hear the news. Erica has been a very dedicated, hard-working employee. It’s a big loss for the organization, but we are confident and know that whatever she embarks upon in her future that she will be very successful.”

On replacing Delisle, Marquis knows what will be missed:

“We’ll be posting the Director of Finance position, that will be going out by the end of this week, at some point. So people will be able to see that posted and people can apply.”

Until the position is posted and filled, Executive Financial Officer Kyle Delisle will oversee her duties.

The Justice Services Division of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is hosting an informational session on  Ionkwatahónhsate Victim Services. The session will take place on Thursday, November 21^st, at the Golden Age Club. There is a: “Lunch and Learn” from 12 noon to 1:30pm; “Supper & Learn” from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Presenters Cheryl Lahache and Nikki Kirby will discuss what programs and services Ionkwatahónhsate Victim Services offers to the community.

The Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) has granted a Micro-Cultivation License to MSJ Cultivation. The license, granted on November 8^th, is valid for 5 years. MSJ’s site is listed on Route-138. The company has also been issued a Health Canada Micro-Cultivation License and by holding both licenses, they are now able to possess cannabis and sell cannabis to holders of a valid Distribution License or export off the Territory to a licensed processor or retailer.