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An initial virtual meeting took place between Ohenton Í:rate ne Ratsisahiens Cody Diabo and Quebec’s Premier, Francois Legault. They focused on the development of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) aimed at establishing clear guidelines for the working relationship between the community and the Quebec government. Legault opened with the promise to return 211 acres of land from Highway 30:

“I said, that’s perfect, I don’t have any Christmas presents yet so, that would be a good Christmas present at the end of the day! There’s been a lot of work on the return of the 211 acres, I had reported in the Ratsisahiens report. We are working, there is potential parcel not too far from here, but we’re still waiting on, we need to make sure the conditions of the land, access to it and things like that. We’re not rushing that for the sake of getting land but ensuring that there is a proper plan in place.”

The purpose is to enhance the delivery of services, foster economic development and strengthen the social fabric between the two parties.

Community members are being advised to exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols while hunting, following recent reports of firearms being discharged within close proximity of a residence. The Public Safety Division of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke saying that as the community expands, the development of wooded areas has brought houses and businesses closer to locations previously frequented by local hunters. To ensure the safety of all residents, firearm owners are asked to use their high-powered rifles only at a significant distance from any populated or developed areas. Firearm owners are urged to stay vigilant and fully aware of their surroundings before discharging a weapon. Stray bullets can travel over one kilometer, posing serious risks if firearms are not handled with care. As for safety guidelines: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; keep fingers straight and off the trigger until ready to fire; never aim at anything you do not intend to shoot; and be fully aware of your target and what lies beyond it.

The MCK has been in collaborative discussions concerning targeted Deer Culls planned for the Monteregie and the island of Montreal. The Culls are aimed at addressing the challenges associated with deer overpopulation in areas heavily impacted in the region. This initiative focuses on responsible wildlife management to mitigate the effects of overpopulation, including habitat degradation and the spread of disease. Since 2022 Council has initiated discussions with the Provincial Ministry of Flora, Fauna and Parks to ensure that Kahnawake benefits from the Culls, including the provision of venison, hides, and antlers. In recent months discussions were also held with: the ‘Conseil Régional de l’Environnement de la Montérégie (CREM),’ for harvesting on private property; the Government Relations Office in Montreal for the Ahuntsic and Pointe des Prairies parks; and the Director of SEPAQ for the Mont Bruno and Iles de Boucherville National Parks. These Culls are controlled, restricted hunts, conducted solely by certified wildlife management experts equipped with specialized air rifles or rifles with silencers, for efficient and safe harvesting.

Community members cannot participate in this year’s culls, however, the MCK is exploring separate opportunities for community collaboration with local landowners, primarily farmers, to help manage nuisance deer populations.

Heather Bauersfeld has been appointed as a Commissioner on the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) for a one-year term. Bauersfeld’s appointment, along with Donna McComber’s appointment, announced last week, allows the KGC to function again with a quorum. Janice Beauvais is the 3rd commissioner. KGC meetings can resume this week. The MCK says they intend to seek additional community members for the role.

Daryl Leclaire and Frank Phillips, both recently resigned from the commission.

An initial virtual meeting has been scheduled between Ohenton Í:rate ne Ratsisahiens Cody Diabo and Quebec’s Premier, Francois Legault. The primary focus of this discussions will be the development of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) aimed at establishing clear guidelines for the working relationship between the community and the Quebec government. Both Diabo and Legault intend to recommit to a collaborative relationship. The proposed MOU is a key step in setting expectations for the Kahnawà:ke/Quebec Relations process, ensuring mutual understanding, respect, and transparency in all areas of governance and partnership.

The purpose is to enhance the delivery of services, foster economic development and strengthen the social fabric between the two parties.

Community members are being invited to participate in the upcoming ‘Let’s Talk Trash’ Open House by The Waste Management Department of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) . The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 14^th, from 11am until 7pm at the Golden Age Club. Walk-ins are welcome. The open house will feature information on various components of Kahnawà:ke’s Waste Management services, including recycling and composting and will provide the opportunity for community feedback. Attendees can learn about upcoming projects, ‘Zero-Waste’ initiatives and ways to actively participate in improving the efficiency of local Waste Management services.

There will be two short presentations: the first session begins at noon and the second at 5pm. Light meals will be served at noon and supper time and there will be door prizes

For more information, you can contact Waste Management directly at: 450-632-4321.

Hydro-Quebec technicians in Kahnawake to conduct a forestry inventory of trees for future vegetation control along its power distribution lines. Crews will be in the areas along the Old Chateauguay Road, the 132, the New Development and some of the farm roads, through to the end of the year.

The Transfer Depot Brush drop-off will close for the season on Saturday, November 9^th, due to the approaching colder temperatures.  Community members will be notified when brush drop-off services are set to resume come springtime.

Members of the Mohawk Legion Branch 219 are at the Services Complex all week from 9am until 3pm, selling Poppies. Their march and ceremony will be held this coming  Saturday, November 9t, with the commemoration just ahead of Remembrance day. That ceremony will make its way to the Cenotaph in Kahnawake.

Murray Sinclair, the groundbreaking Indigenous lawyer who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has died. Sinclair, whose spirit name is Mizhana Gheezhik (The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky), died early this morning in a Winnipeg Hospital, where he was surrounded by family. Kenneth Deer had a long professional relationship and friendship with Sinclair:

“He was always a wonderful person, seeped in his teachings and in tradition and he was a really good thinker. He was a wonderful person to talk to. He was always a very, very strong advocate of the rights of Indigenous peoples and he found himself in theses positions of having an impact on Indigenous peoples.”

Sinclair helped to expose racial injustice and redefined how Canadians see residential schools. A sacred fire will be lit in his honour on the grounds of the Manitoba legislature. Sinclair was 73.