PROGRESS UPDATE FROM THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT (OSC)

The Akwesasne Justice Department (AJD) OSC plays a crucial role in drafting legislation that protects and advances the inherent rights of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, guided by principles of peace, respect, and fairness. The committee, which consists of AJD Portfolio Chiefs and one Community representative from each of the three districts, is providing this brief update on the group’s efforts and ongoing initiatives.

 

The Committee plays a key role in overseeing and incorporating input from both Council and the community. It provides guidance and direction in the development of Akwesasne Laws, while carefully considering and balancing the diverse perspectives within the Akwesasne community. Currently, several laws are being drafted, amended, or newly developed by various Working Task Groups (WTGs). All of these are in Phase I of the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Procedural Regulations (ALEPR) and include:

 

• The Akwesasne Child Rights and Responsibilities Law (ACRRL), or Enienthihswanón:na, has been drafted and is going through the Legal Review process outlined in section 4.10 of the ALEPR. After the recommendations from Legal Council are incorporated into the law, the next step would lead to a review by Council.
• The Fire Safety Law is in the early stages of Phase I drafting and the WTG has resumed work on the document previously developed by Legal Council and a Legislative Drafter.
• The Akwesasne Residency Law is currently being amended by considering the comments received from the community and the needs of the community as in section 4.8 of the ALEPR.
• The Akwesasne Election Law (AEL) is also at section 4.8 of the ALEPR where community comments and needs will be considered to make the necessary amendment(s). Now that the OSC officially has three district representatives once again, quorum can be met to establish a new AEL WTG. Due to the nature of this law, Council Portfolio Chiefs could not be involved with the process so quorum for meetings could not be met as required in section 6.3 of the Legislative Oversight Terms of Reference. The AEL WTG will be providing an update specifically on the law amendment(s) after the group meeting on May 6, 2025.

 

If you have any questions, the OSC Community District Representatives can be reached by emailing Dr. Doris Cook for Kaná:takon at kanestenhawi@yahoo.com, Theresa Benedict for Tsi Snáihne at theresa.benedict@akwesasne.ca, and Gary Cole for Kawehnó:ke at gary.cole@akwesasne.ca. General inquiries may also be sent to Legislative Services Manager Alyson Thompson at alyson.thompson@akwesasne.ca.