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TERRITORY OF AKWESASNE – The Chief Referendum Officer Leona Benedict hereby gives notice of an upcoming referendum to enact the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera “Akwesasne Court Law”. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne determined that the ballot question for this referendum to be:

‘Do you approve the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law)?’

The Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) went through community consultation in September 2014. Information Meetings were held in each district and community comments were recorded. These comments were provided to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in a report in March 2015, who provided direction on how to incorporate the comments. The Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) was accepted in principle for enactment in accordance with the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Regulation.

The referendum to enact the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) will be conducted through referendum polling stations on February 6, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the following locations:

District of Kawehno:ke – Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) Recreation Center

District of Tsi Snaihne – Iohahi:io Adult Education Centre

District of Kana:takon – Kana:takon School

Online Voting for this referendum will open on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 12:01 a.m. EST and will close on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. EST. In-Home Voting appointments may be scheduled with the Chief Referendum Officer for February 6, 2016 for elders and shut-ins who are unable to participate through either Online Voting or at a referendum polling station.

Instructions for Online Voting or to schedule an appointment for In-Home Voting can be obtained by contacting the Chief Referendum Officer.

Eligibility to participate in this referendum to enact the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) is as follows:

Persons who at the time of voting are Members of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.

Persons who at the time of voting have attained eighteen (18) years of age.

Members must be listed on the referendum voters list in order to participate in this referendum. If an individual meets the eligibility criteria to participate in the referendum and are not on the referendum voters list, those individuals need to contact the Chief Referendum Officer to have their name added to the list. The deadline to add or remove names to the referendum voters list is February 2, 2016. Referendum voters lists will be placed at the following locations:

District of Kawehno:ke – Bank of Montreal, Jocks Convenience Store, Faye’s Deli

District of Tsi Snaihne – Iohahi:io Adult Education Centre, OK Den

District of Kana:takon – Post Office, Butters Quick Stop, Village Check Cashing

Information Meetings have been scheduled to provide background information regarding the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) and the referendum process. The following is the list of Information Meetings:

District of Kawehno:ke – Kawehno:ke Recreation Center, Saturday, January 23, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

District of Tsi Snaihne – Tsi Snaihne Recreation Center, Monday, February 1, 2016 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

District of Kana:takon – Kanonhkwatsheri:io Atrium, Wednesday, February 3, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For more information on the referendum to enact the Akwesasne Tekaia’torehthà:ke Kaianerénhsera (Akwesasne Court Law) or for a copy of the General Referendum Regulation please contact the Chief Referendum Officer Leona Benedict by telephone at 613-575-2250 ext. 2406, by facsimile at 613-575-1726 or by email at leona.benedict@akwesasne.ca.