Category: Uncategorized

Another Day, another road closure for some of the Mercier Bridge on and off ramps. Work is set for both of the 132 ramps towards Montreal and La Prairie, which will be shut for repairs starting at 8pm tonight lasting until 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning. There will be detours put in-place via the 138

Feedback on the two regulations drafted under the Kahnawà:ke Residency Law (KRL) and two regulations drafted under the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke Law are available for review for 30 days.

“We’ve actually had two focus groups with people from the community who gave their input on the four regulations drafts that we had put out,” said Melanie Konwenni Gilbert, General Manager, Office of the Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka Registry. “After having both focus groups we had an extension of a few more days and then people in the general public were able to give their feedback as well. Now it’s put together in one final document that is going out to the community for 30 days.”

That document is available for review in the law section of the public documents page on the MCK website until April 7th at 4 pm. .

Gilbert says there was some comments from some community members involved in the initial phase.

“People who had gone to the CDMP (Community Decision Making Process) meetings for the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke law said that the outcome that ended up in the law wasn’t what they had discussed in those feedback sessions, in the CDMP sessions. So those were things I found very interesting. I think that that should be brought back to Council (MCK). Where did that change? Where did the information change from the CDMP to the review process to the drafting of the law?” Gilbert said.

The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) is currently undertaking a survey to gauge the community’s knowledge and support for environmental laws in Kahnawà:ke. The survey that concludes this Friday, 11 Enniskó:wa/March 11^th, at 11:59pm, has as it’s intention to identify environmental concerns and priorities for the community. The survey, whose information will be kept completely anonymous, should take approximately five minutes to complete and includes a space for comments and suggestions. In appreciation, KEPO is offering participants a chance to win a $100 Shop Kahnawà:ke Gift Certificate.

You can contact KEPO at 450-635-0600 or via email at: environmentprotection@mck.ca for more details.

The R-132 west up-ramp towards Montreal will be temporarily closed tonight from 20:00 to 22:00.

The Route 132 up ramp in Kahnawake, from La Prairie to the Mercier Bridge, as well as the Rte. 132 down ramp from the bridge, will be closed Tuesday night at 8 pm until Wednesday morning at 4 am. Detours will be in place to use the 138 instead.

Serge Jr Tremblay has been officially charged after appearing in Longueuil court Monday afternoon. The 50 year old was charged with two counts of robbery, one count of assault and two counts of breach of probation following several cigarette store robberies last week in Kahnawake. According to the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, Tremblay will remain behind bars until his next court appearance, a bail hearing which is scheduled for 9 am Wednesday.

Back in November, 2019 Tremblay was sentenced to 18 months in prison for armed robbery dating to February 9th and 11^th,  2019 in Kahnawake. At the time The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake submitted a letter requesting the Tremblay be prevented from entering the community, since he was not on the Kaniakehaka registry and did not have family residing in the community.  His conditions were not to have contact with his two victims or frequent any stores on the territory.

An iconic business in Kahnawake for the last quarter century is changing hands. Joey Standup and his wife Brittany Zachary-Standup have taken over the reins at Dustin’s Convenience from Joey’s parents Virginia and Craig.

“It feels great,” Zachary-Standup told K1037 News. “I have big shoes to fill right now. My husband and I both have big shoes to fill and we feel we’ll be doing a great job.”

Zachary-Standup, who has worked therefor the last 13 years says no major changes are being planned besides a few tweaks down the road. She understands the business is rich in history. It has stood in its current location for the last decade.

“25 years, they started in 1997. They started in a little store. A little corner store,” she said. “It’s grown into this big amazing building. Everybody knows Dustin’s and goes to it. We just want to keep that tradition going.”

Local Public Health team at the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre is unable to provide COVID-19 documentation that is required for travel. Travel document requirements vary greatly depending on location and method of travel and it is up to travelers to inform themselves of requirements and to obtain appropriate travel documentation privately. The following link can provide travelers with assistance regarding current travel measures and requirements:

https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/measures-in-force/travel/travel-canada-or-internationally

Individuals requiring vaccination for travel purposes can be vaccinated despite a recent COVID-19 diagnosis if they provide informed consent. Vaccine appointments can be made by calling KMHC at (450)-638-3930 extension 2243 or they can be made at any of the Quebec vaccination sites by booking an appointment online at Clic-Sante.

With all protocols in place to ensure the safety of employees and visitors, the Kahnawà:ke Welcome Center will once again be open to the public. The Welcome Center will be offering tours in designated areas accompanied by a tour guide and will also offer information as to what is available for visitors including: retail shopping, dining, recreation and leisure as options become available, with tour schedules available on the Welcome Center’s social media page. The Center receives approximately 1,600 visitors per year while coordinating approximately 60 tours.

Kimberly Cross, Tourism Development Agent for the Welcome Center stating, QUOTE: “We look forward to receiving visitors who want to learn more about our history and culture and who contribute to our local economy.”

If you are interested in having a tour arranged for friends and family visiting, a business associate or other acquaintances you are asked to call he Welcome Center to make arrangements.

The Kahnawake Peacekeepers have a suspect after a string of robberies at Cigarette stores in the community that began on Tuesday night. Last night (Thursday) at 7:04 pm the Peacekeepers responded to a panic alarm. A male, fitting the same description as a robbery at Monsieur Tabac on Tuesday, entered the Bear Claw cigarette store on Hwy 138. The suspect moved to get behind the counter, but fled the scene when the cashier pressed the panic alarm. The male spoke English, with a Kahnawà:ke accent. Then at 7:17 pm, the same suspect entered the 138 Discount store and stole cash. He then entered a white taxi and drove away in the direction of the Mercier Bridge. Peacekeepers have a suspect, and are in the process of obtaining a warrant. When the warrant is issued, information on the suspect will be released.

The Kahnawà:ke Public Safety Commission says that as of Monday, February 28, proof of vaccination (QR Code) will no longer be a legal requirement for businesses in Kahnawà:ke. However, it will be up to the business should they prefer to continue using proof of vaccination as an option to help safeguard their employees and clientele. When it comes to the schools, there’s a different thinking, with protecting the community at the forefront. Robin Delaronde is the Director of Education for the Kahnàwake Education Center:

“We recently had a meeting in terms of the schools, representatives along with local Public Health to review this new measure that was implemented and after thoroughly reviewing it and looking at the circumstances, the situation we’re faced with is that, as always, we’re a bit more cautious than the provincial standard and keeping that in mind that we are going to be coming out of a March break, they’ll be travel, as well as we know that there is still Covid around us, is that we have decided that we will continue to implement masking measures in our schools and our offices as well.”