COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SESSIONS ON AKWESASNE ELECTION LAW AMENDMENT

In accordance with Phase III: Community Consultation of the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Procedural Regulation Sections 6.1, and 6.2, the Akwesasne Election Law Working Task Group will be holding Community Consultation sessions in each District, and one in the southern portion of Akwesasne as a courtesy to our Elders. Community members are encouraged to attend to share their views on the proposed changes to Section 16.2 of the Akwesasne Election Law (AEL). Refreshments will be provided.

Community consultation sessions schedule:
🗓️ August 20 – Kanonhkwa’tsheri:io (Turtle Room) at 5:00 p.m.
🗓️ August 27 – Akwesasne Homemakers at 5:00 p.m.
🗓️ September 3 – Kawehnó:ke Recreation Center at 5:00 p.m.
🗓️ September 26 – SRMT Senior Center - Presentation at 11:00 a.m.

📌 Deadline to submit comments: September 5, 2025, by 4:00 p.m.

To view a full copy of the Akwesasne Election Law, please go to the Kaiahnehronsehra Iehiontakwa – Akwesasne Law Registry at www.akwesasne.ca/law-registry. 

For general inquiries, or to obtain a printed copy of the AEL, please contact Legislative Services Manager Alyson Thompson at alyson.thompson@akwesasne.ca or at 613-575-5000. 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 16.2 OF THE AKWESASNE ELECTION LAW

The Akwesasne Election Law Working Task Group has been tasked with drafting a proposed amendment to Section 16.2 of the AEL which currently reads:

REMOVAL/VACANCY FROM COUNCIL

16. (2) A member of the Mohawk Council is removed from Council if:
(a) a petition requesting the removal of a District Chief is signed by an equal number of votes plus one from the official total number of votes he/she received on election/by-election day and delivered to the Council at a duly convened General Meeting; or
    

Following community input — gathered through a petition presented at the February 2025 General Meeting, a public comment period in May 2025, and legal counsel recommendations — the Working Task Group proposes the following revised wording:

REMOVAL/VACANCY FROM COUNCIL

16. (2) A member of the Mohawk Council is removed from Council if:(a) a petition requesting the removal of a District Chief is signed by an equal number of his/her/their eligible District voters plus one from the official total number of votes he/she received on election/by-election day and delivered to the Council at a duly convened General Meeting; or

    
We are now entering Phase III of the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Procedural Regulation (ALEPR) — Community Consultation. As outlined in Section 6 of the ALEPR, the Working Task Group is seeking community input on this proposed amendment to Section 16.2, specifically the replacement of the word “votes” with “his/her/their eligible District voters.”