DISTRICT CHIEF OF KANA:TAKON CINDY FRANCIS-MITCHELL RESIGNS FROM OFFICE

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne would like to inform the community that Kana:takon District Chief Cindy Francis-Mitchell has resigned from her position on Council. In accordance with the Akwesasne Election Law and the Akwesasne Procedural Regulations, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has 90 days to hold a by-election for the vacant Kana:takon District Chief seat.

Cindy Francis-Mitchell was first elected to Council for the 2021–2024 term as a Kana:takon District Chief and was re-elected to serve the community in 2024. She was also appointed Acting Grand Chief by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in July 2024, following a re-election in which the former Grand Chief stepped down.

At the time of her resignation, Cindy was serving on the Akwesasne Rights and Research Office, Government Secretariat, Justice, and Nation Building portfolios. She also sat on the following committees: CBSA, Executive, Finance, Governance, Green Team, Beautification, Waterways, and Hydro Québec.

Chief Cindy Francis-Mitchell was recognized as a strong advocate for border rights, ensuring that Akwesasne’s unique cross-border challenges remained a priority. She championed women’s leadership through her role as an elected women’s representative with the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), advancing the voices of Indigenous women in governance. On Council, she contributed to nation-to-nation relationships, governance renewal, and rights advocacy. She was also dedicated to language revitalization, actively learning Kanien’kéha and encouraging others to strengthen cultural identity through language.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne thanks District Chief Cindy Francis-Mitchell for her dedication and contributions to the community, and we extend our best wishes to her in all future endeavors.