Akwesasne Financial Administration Law
In 2013 Mohawk Council of Akwesasne requested to participate in the Financial Management Board’s Capacity Development funding program under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, S.C. 2005, c. 9. A First Nations Financial Management Board Letter of Cooperation was entered into, which recognizes the importance of strong financial administration and systems, and supporting the development of a financial administration law and a financial management system that meets the standards established by the Financial Management Board.
A Working Task Group was established to undertake development of an Akwesasne Financial Administration Law, which was accepted in principle on November 28, 2016. The development of an Akwesasne Financial Administration Law was identified as a priority by the community as part of the Public Comment Session in October 2018, and also identified as a need by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and administration.
The Akwesasne Legislative Commission selected the development of an Akwesasne Financial Administration Law as a priority for 2019. This law is currently in Phase III – Community Consultation of the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Regulation, and Information Meetings were held with members of the Working Task Group present to answer questions relating to the law.
Community consultation was held between February-April 2019, with Information Meetings for the public to learn about this law, and the ability to submit written comments. The community comments were reviewed and changes made to the draft document. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne accepted-in-principle a draft Akwesasne Financial Administration Law dated June 7, 2019, which is being brought to the community for approval.
A Special General Meeting to hold a secret ballot vote to approve the Akwesasne Financial Administration Law was held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Kanonkwatsheriio Atrium in Kana:takon, where the law was approved by community members.
The Akwesasne Financial Administration Law will come into force on September 1, 2019. For more information contact the Akwesasne Justice Department 613 575 2250 ext 2400