Kawehno:ke/ Easterbrook Specific Land Claim

(February 6, 2012)

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has recently concluded negotiations with the Canadian Federal Government regarding the Kawehno:ke/Easterbrook Specific Land Claim, which is a “Loss of Use Claim” that was accepted by Canada for negotiations on July 18, 2006.

The basis of the Claim was breaches of the Crown’s fiduciary responsibility to the Mohawks of Akwesasne during the period of 1816 to 1934. The breaches were failures to protect the interests of Akwesasne for 188.5 acres of land that spans present-day Ronathahon:ni Cultural Center to the Fire Hall on Kawehno:ke.

The outcome of negotiations with Canada is the proposed Kawehno:ke/Easterbrook Final Settlement Agreement which lays out the terms of the proposed settlement. The land in question, formerly known as the Easterbrook Farm, was returned to Akwesasne’s possession in 1934.

In the coming weeks, the MCA will be holding community presentations that will delve deeper into the history and the details of the Kawehno:ke/Easterbrook Claim, as well as the terms of the proposed Final Settlement Agreement. Information will be shared with those that will ultimately decide on the Settlement agreement in a Referendum Vote scheduled for Saturday May 26, 2012.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne urges community members to attend these presentations to make a fully informed decision on May 26th. A listing of the upcoming informational sessions will be aired on CKON Radio and printed in the Indian Time Newspaper, as well as posted on the Akwsasne.ca website.

For more information please contact MCA’s Aboriginal Rights and Research Office (ARRO) at 613-575-2348.