Mohawk Council of Kahnawake election slated for this weekend

This artic;le was co-wriitten by Jordan Standup

The community will head to the polls on Saturday to elect a new Mohawk Council of Kahnawake for the term running from 2024 to 2027. The community is being asked to choose between three candidates for Grand Chief and 18 candidates for Council Chief.

The polls will open at 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Karonhianonhnha tsi Ionterihwaienstahkhwa.

The three candidates for Grand Chief are incumbent Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, MCK Chief Cody Diabo and former MCK Chief Gina Deer.

Current MCK Chiefs Lindsay Leborgne, Jessica Lazare and Harry Rice have opted not to seek re-election this year, and former MCK Chief Mike Delisle has left politics to be the Registrar of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawake Law. With these Council Chiefs not seeking re-election, as well as Diabo running for the Grand Chief position means that there will be at least five new faces at the Council table on Monday.

As a part of our election coverage, Iorì:wase reporters asked each of the candidates why they were running for a position on the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake.

Gina Deer

“I have decided to run again because much of the work I was doing has not been spoken of. The files on rights and jurisdiction have been replaced with projects and policies. With all of the issues threatening Kahnawake, the main focus of the last three years has been policy. For instance, this past week a complaint policy for Chief against Chief was passed. And, in that policy it says the table may or may not tell the community. This is in no way hearing the voice of the people, this election has been based on the need for transparency. Transparency and the will of the people must be respected. We must reconnect the Council table to the community and I aim to do that if elected! That will lead to a better quality of life by hearing the people, knowing their needs and following the People’s desired direction.”

Cody Diabo

“I am running for Grand Chief because for the past three years, I have witnessed stagnation on crucial issues facing our community. We have not reclaimed any of our ancestral lands, nor have we effectively challenged the governments of Quebec and Canada on matters of our rights and sovereignty. Our current leadership lacks the vision and determination to drive meaningful progress. As Grand Chief, I will bring a proactive and bold approach, ensuring our voice is heard and our rights are respected. I am committed to reclaiming our lands, protecting our sovereignty, and fostering innovation to build a stronger, more resilient future for our people. It is important that leadership is present to face the challenges head on. It is time for leadership to act decisively and advocate relentlessly for the needs and aspirations of our community. Together we will make Kahnawake stronger than ever!”

Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer

Incumbent Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer said she hopes to let her leadership speak for itself. “Right now, Kahnawake, the MCK and the Council table need stability and long-term vision. I know there’s a lot of uncertainty and fear about the state of the world, our community, our families and our future. With 15 years of experience, all the education and training I have completed and with the political knowledge and contacts I have gained, I am the right person to push us forward,” she said. “I also have so much more to accomplish for our people, including more housing units, the completion of the Cultural Arts Center, the blue-collar park, Karihwanoron, arena upgrades, getting land back, protection of jurisdiction and industries such as tobacco and gaming. I also want to actively work on the recommendations of the Kahnawake Governance Project.”

Arnold Boyer

“I am running for Council for a second term. First off, I want to take up the challenge to have Dialysis Treatment available for our community members at our hospital. Our community members with chronic kidney disease should not have to go outside the community for this crucial and essential treatment. I want to see the realization on an Accessibility Policy in place for our community buildings. Our buildings and assets must be fully accessible to all. I would like to see more involvement and contribution from our disabled community members. I want to see the start of the expansion of the water and sewer lines down the 207 and the OCR. I want to have more services and programs available to our elders in the community. I have and will continue to uphold the Will and the Voice of our community.”

Iohahiio Delisle

Incumbent MCK Chief Delisle said he will focus his energies on elders and helping them feel like they have more of a voice, as well as fighting off outside influences from Kahnawake government.

“I'm requesting your support in the 2024 MCK elections,” he said. “If successful, I'd like to reinstate the elder advisory table to the decision-making process. Take a hard stance on Bill 96 and promote a healthy, more inclusive economy base. Defend our rights and territorial jurisdiction from all foreign influences. ‘land back or we’ll take it back.’”

Carla J. Diabo

Carla J. Diabo is running for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake this weekend, because, she said, “too many voices are not being heard.”

The mother of five says in a community like Kahnawake, which is “rich in love and in resources,” parents should never have to tell their kids something is unaffordable.

“I’m running to assist my community,” she said. “Everything under the sun is too much, too complex. You have to jump through hoops just to pay for your kids’ school. Everything is too expensive these days. Every voice matters and we need to hear from everyone. Things need to change.”

David Diabo

David Diabo says he will lean on his considerable experience to bring those qualities that have set him apart in his work to the MCK Council table. “I feel I have qualities that I have developed over the course of my career in Ottawa that can be of benefit to the community and to the MCK. I could mention a series of issues that I think are important, and that I think I can help improve, or maintain, with my perspective and my work processes. I do have concerns about the big-ticket items in Kahnawake – housing, governance and land, and I also concern myself greatly with accessibility, emergency management and occupational health and safety.”

Jefferey Diabo

“I am running for Council because my background, knowledge, and experience in Kahnawake politics will benefit both the community and the Council table. Having worked with Council for 12 years I was involved in many files. I believe a strong Council is necessary to stand for and defend the people and the community. A Council that that is responsive to elders and community needs and ensures benefits directly to the people. I believe the community must be involved and informed on all issues in monthly meetings where Council must provide updates and receive mandates before proceeding in order to make the best possible decisions when needed. That is true openness and transparency. I support reacquiring of our land/territory using all tools available such as the UNDRIP. I believe in Kahnawake self-determination and that we must be self-sufficient. Together we are capable of determining the future we want.”

Marnie Jacobs

Jacobs said she is interested in helping return Kahnawake to the people.

“To get back to who we are as a community. For the collective, not the selective. Our community comes first, our health, well-being, sovereignty, jurisdiction and our rights as people are paramount for the future generations,” she said. “I’m involved in community issues, vocal, not afraid to roll up my sleeves, to protect and defend our nation. My mission is to support our collective interests and rights to govern ourselves. To have community driven conversations for the betterment of our community, our future generations. What I can promise is to do the best job that I can do for our community. If elected I will work hard for the community, for our future generations.”

Jeremiah Johnson

Johnson said he’s not going to be someone who complains about things and never does anything about them. “I’m not going to be one of those people who complains and never does anything to rectify it. I don’t want to be a Mohawk Council of Kahnawake band councillor but I’m so frustrated with what I’ve seen that I have to run.” He added that he wants to add more “transparency and accountability, first and foremost,” to the Council table. “It has to function properly. It has to function for the people.”

Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Robert Kennedy Jr. is running for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake with the sole purpose of helping the community be rid of the MCK and rely exclusively on Traditional Government for legislation and governance.

“I want to get us out of the Indian Act and back into Traditional Government,” he said. “I want to abolish the MCK and rely more on clan-based government. Obviously, it would have to be modernized and updated, but that’s what I’d like to do. I’d also like to introduce a referendum in the community for us to return to Traditional Government and abolish the MCK.”

Nihawennah Lahache-McComber

“Running for a position on the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake is my way of contributing to the betterment of our community. I am deeply passionate about preserving our culture, improving services for our people, and addressing critical issues facing our community. With a strong dedication to serving others and a commitment to transparency and accountability, I believe that I can make a meaningful impact in this role. By actively participating in decision-making processes, advocating for the needs of all community members, and fostering positive change, I aim to help create a more inclusive, prosperous, and harmonious future for Kahnawake. I am inspired by the opportunity to serve and represent the voices of our community, working tirelessly to ensure a brighter tomorrow for all.”

Stephen Angus McComber

“I’m running for re-election for the Sustainable Development Portfolio, food, security and sovereignty. I believe that political support is needed to ensure projects in our community, and creating jobs for our youth in agriculture through neighbourhood and community gardens, greenhouses, micro greens, aquaponics and fruit tree forests! I’m running to support community food banks and to create a food pantry in our community, and establish a farmers market. As the world faces climate and environmental challenges, I believe that it is also an important responsibility of leadership. Also, the well-being and welfare, and especially, to take care of our elders. We can’t eat all the money in the bank. Niawen for your consideration and your vote.”

Ross Montour

Incumbent MCK Chief Ross Montour said he is running for re-election because he has a lot of work left to do – and hopes to finish it.

“There are a number of files I would like to finish work on, including finding a new building for Karihwanoron,” he said. “I will also continue to defend language and culture and fight for that because that is what defines us as a people.”

Montour added he felt like the MCK’s Indigenous Rights and Research portfolio also has “unfinished business.”

Ryan Montour

Incumbent MCK Chief Ryan Montour wants the community to judge him by his actions on Council when they go to the polls July 6.

“My actions have always been louder than words for our people. My service to the community will continue to the best of my abilities,” if he is returned to Council this weekend.

Melanie Morrison

“I have decided to run for a position of councillor on the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake because I was approached by several community members who felt that I would be an asset on Council. I had considered it in the past but this was the final push I needed. It is important to consider the interests of our fellow community members when it comes to a job that exists to uplift their voices and concerns so that we can lead the development of our home down the best path that we can. As a council member I would be doing my best to consider the various voices I have heard during my time working in the community. Along with this I would continue to be driven to push for change concerning one of my main personal focuses; the safety of everyone but especially those who are more at risk.”

Tonya Perron

“I am committed to carrying on with the work we’ve been doing on the three pillars of government (the executive, the legislative and the judiciary). We have the community vision and the governance project underway to establish what that structure will be, but until then we must work with what we have, an elected body. We need to continue to strengthen our governance structure by ensuring that the Council is responsible, accountable and transparent. Work on the governance documents needs to continue and be constantly revised to meet the expectations of the community. The legislative process needs to be evaluated and evolve to keep up with the enactment of laws and regulations. We need to assert, expand, protect and defend our jurisdiction by establishing a complete justice system to deal with all matters internal to our people and our territory. My goal if elected is to meet these needs.”

Paul Rice

“I want to help shape the future of this community and make a difference for my two young children. With 15 years of experience in finance, business development and revenue generation at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, I have the experience, knowledge and integrity needed for Council Chief,” he said. “My successful transition to entrepreneurship, founding a thriving advisory and consulting firm, showcases my leadership and ability to drive change. My deep understanding of both political and business landscapes uniquely positions me to implement effective, transformative policies from day one, ensuring our community's needs are met and its potential realized.”

Blue Sky

“Why am I running for Council? I’m running because I’m fed up with our community not having a voice and I want to know why. I want our voices heard and addressed. This is our community, and we should all have a say in what is going on in Kahnawake. The safety of our community, the housing needs in our community, and the economic development of our community should all be coming from the people, not just the elected officials and their directors of the Mohawk Council. I want to see our people get their voice back that’s why I’m running for Council.”

Candidates Joshua Mayo and Myles McComber did not respond as of press time.

Additional reporting by Greg Horn

Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase