MCA General Meeting for March 2019

 


By: Jaclyn Hall and Kaniehtonkie

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne held their monthly general meeting, on March 7th at the Kana:takon School. The meeting was scheduled to take place in Tsi Snaihne, but the location was changed due to a community member passing.

1. Beginning at 6 pm, a call to order and Council’s attendance was announced. Immediately after, a moment of silence took place to honor community members who have passed away since the last general meeting.

2. Council Agenda Acceptance: accepted by Council.

3. Rules of Order: ‘General Meeting Rules ‘based on respect for each other, and all attendees are expected to behave respectfully and professionally at all times’.

4. Follow Up: Canadian Border Security Agency in regard to a pothole after the check-in point – Chief V. Thompson. Update: Complete.

5. Presentation and Discussion - Cannabis. The results of the community survey conducted last year was shared.

The surveys were titled “MCA Recreational Cannabis Survey – Results.” Some of the questions asked were:

Q: In your opinion should the MCA allow recreational use of cannabis in Akwesasne? (576 respondents)

A: 74% said “yes”.

Q: Do you want the sale of recreational cannabis in Akwesasne? (548 respondents)

A: 65% said “yes”.

Main findings:

People are aware of Canada legalizing cannabis.

Three quarters of respondents agree that MCA should allow recreational use of cannabis in Akwesasne.

The majority of respondents want the sale of recreational cannabis in Akwesasne.

Three quarters of respondents want Akwesasne to adopt its own laws and regulations for the production, the distribution, the sale and the possession.

And overview of federal and provincials regulations were discussed.

An update on the current status of MCA interim regulations on Cannabis, legislative commission and draft form of business application were also discussed.

Council announced two documents be ready by April 2019 and the draft law should be ready for the community’s review and engagement in May 2019. MCA is the first to enact a law on cannabis. MCA has met with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, business owners and others in the private sector to work collaboratively for a sustainable economy.

Questions and comments from the floor:

Q: Who is the authorized supplier? A – Ontario.

The Akwesasne Cannabis Society was introduced to Council and asked if MCA would meet with them and stated, ‘drug dealers need to be taken out – flushed out’. A - Yes, Council would like to meet with them, along with other interested groups.

Q: How many dispensaries will be licensed? A – Still exploring, possibly based on population or other factors.

Q: Where will they be located? How close to our schools? A – there is no zoning in Akwesasne, possibly closed in or fenced in.

Q: Will Ontario recognize our license? A – Based on seed to sale, grower provide supply and visitor max purchase is 30 grams.

Will this result in a CBSA check point in Tsi Snaihne or Kanatakon? A – This is a scenario that must be taken seriously. It will have a social impact on Akwesasne.

Q: Will MCA work with the Akwesasne Cannabis Society? A – Yes, MCA will work with many groups.

Q: Who will enforce the laws? A – MCA Compliance. Council wants to design a system the community accepts that creates jobs, provides safe product, and growers, sellers and the community can agree upon.

Q: What about basing it on the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association? A – We are looking at all models.

Q: What about cultivation on Kawehnoke? A – Seven Leaf is licensed by Health Canada for medicinal marijuana, Seven Leaf cannot open a dispensary without changing their license.

Q: The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs does not condone the selling of cannabis. If MNCC says no – doesn’t Kawehnoke fall under the Nation? A – That can not be answered in the forum.

Q: We need to protect our food sovereignty. Will these plants be genetically modified organisms? A – Council will check on this.

Other questions were presented to Council. This is an abbreviated cross section of those questions and are not verbatim. Community members can view the March General Meeting on the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne website.

6. Update Department of Health Recruitment.

Portfolio holders are actively recruiting doctors for the community of Akwesasne by participating in various recruitment events across Canada.

Q: What are the problems of recruiting doctors? A – Location, difficult to afford doctors wages, Council is looking into partnerships and working with locals.

Discussions pertaining to the services and benefits of having all the health programs under one roof, at Kanonhkwatsheriio.

7. Update Bell Canada The issues Akwesasne faces with the company: different alternatives are being discussed, such as using a different company for communication services.

8. Business from the floor. Community members were able to ask questions and voice their concerns, regarding issues within the community. Community members asked questions, such as:

Q: Where is the update on the Cannabis route on the river? A: I remember that, it has to be a water route. Community member requested a retraction. A – MCA will make it an action item.

Q: Are you aware of the petitions going around? A: There’s a process, the Akwesasne Election Law will exercise discretion. According to law, there has to be a sitting council at all times.

Q: Is it true that a vehicle was purchased for $100,000, for the Chief of Police, and you are paying gas and mileage? A: This will be looked into as an action item. There are seats that need to be filled on the Police Commission. Once the seats are filled, then they can address community issues.

Q: What is self-government? A – It’s a process to replace provisions of the Indian Act through negotiations between Akwesasne and the federal government. MCA usually provides an update at each monthly meeting. If you would like to know more information, the Entewatatha:wi (Nation Building) office can assist you.

Q: What are you (MCA) basing your authority on? A – The people of Akwesasne.

Q: Does the Police Commission need a quorum? A – Yes, write to the Police Commission with any complaints.

Q: What is the Fiscal Management Act? A- In 2013 a resolution to be in consult with the First Nations Financial Management Act. MCA no longer needs the FNFMA to operate. MCA has strong financial controls and have removed MCA from the FNFMA.

Q: Why isn’t MCA working on finding a Director or Chief Financial Officer? A – We have employees placed in those positions as ‘acting’.

Q: What was Mike Mitchell doing on Kawehnoke today? A – Mike Mitchell does not represent MCA in any way. Mitchell was appointed by AFN’s Chief Bellegarde as an Elder. He does not represent MCA.

Q: Does MCA own land. A – The community owns the land.

Other questions were presented to Council. This is an abbreviated cross section of those questions and are not verbatim. Community members can view the March General Meeting on the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne website.

9. Resolutions, the General Meeting Minutes dated January 2019, was passed.

10. Announcements

A. District Meetings for the month of March are:

Kawehno:ke – March 11th – Kawehno:ke Recreation at 6 pm.

Tsi Snaihne – March 11th – Tsi Snaihne Recreation at 6 pm.

Kana:takon – March 18th – St. Regis Recreation 6 pm.

B. Next General Meeting to be determined.

11. The MCA General meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45pm.

 

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