Tsi:karistisere/Dundee Settlement Agreement ‒ Referendum Date Identified
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) is informing the community that the proposed Tsi:karistisere/Dundee Claim Settlement Agreement, which was approved by Mohawk Council Resolution on June 27, 2018, is now going to the community of Akwesasne for review through Community Information Meetings, followed by a referendum.
Community Information Meetings for the review of the Agreement will be held in each of the districts, including: Kana:takon (St. Regis); Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island); Tsi Snaihne (Snye); and Hogansburg. Once the meeting locations are confirmed, they will be announced to members of Akwesasne. These sessions will present in-depth information to educate community members about the history of the Tsi:karistisere/Dundee claim, the specific terms and conditions of the Agreement, including details on the compensation and acquisition of lands, and the ratification process itself.
Following the review from the Community Information Meetings, the referendum for the Tsi:karistisere/Dundee Claim Settlement Agreement will begin. Online voting for the referendum will open October 1, 2018 and continue until December 7, 2018. Following the conclusion of online voting, on December 8, 2018, four (4) polling stations will be set-up in each of the districts for members of Akwesasne to vote. Further details are to come.
The Mohawks of Akwesasne presented the Tsi:karistisere/Dundee land claim to the Government of Canada in 1981 under the Specific Claims Policy. The claim was first accepted for negotiation in 1988. A revised claim was presented in 1998 and accepted for negotiation in 2002. In April 2015, the Government of Canada made the global settlement offer of $239,808,436 for a full and final settlement of the claim. This offer was based on the careful consideration of the facts, evidence and arguments of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Government of Canada. In addition to the compensation that will be paid by the Government of Canada, the Mohawks of Akwesasne will have the opportunity to expand reserve lands by adding up to 18,282 acres of land under Canada’s Additions to Reserve (ATR) policy. Lands will be acquired by Mohawks of Akwesasne from willing sellers in selected areas in Quebec and Ontario.
Grand Chief Abram Benedict noted, “With the Community Information Meetings approaching, Council is looking forward and encouraging the involvement of community members. We need all members to attend the meetings and ask the questions to get informed about the claim. Understanding the claim will help you make an informed decision in the upcoming referendum. This historical claim would not have been possible without the dedication and passion of past and current MCA negotiation team members, and when settled will provide the community with more capacity to grow.”
The schedules for the upcoming Community Information Meetings in the four districts will be announced to the Community in the near future. For more information, please contact the Aboriginal Rights and Research Office at 613-575-2348.