NOTICE OF REFERENDUM: AKWESASNE ELECTION LAW REFERENDUM

Pursuant to section 7.0 of the General Referendum Regulation passed by MCR 2015/2016-#263: 

7.1 At least twenty (20) days before the referendum is to be opened, the Chief Referendum Officer shall provide notice of the upcoming Referendum to members by posting a notice in public places within each District as well as publishing notice in a community newspaper with circulation throughout each District. 

The Chief Referendum Officer (CRO) is hereby notifying the community of Akwesasne that a referendum will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following locations: 

📍 District of Tsi Snaíhne – Tsi Snaihne School 
📍 District of Kawehnò:ke – Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School (AMS) 
📍 District of Kaná:takon – Kana:takon School 

In the absence of a community newspaper, the Chief Referendum Officer (CRO) will disseminate information about the referendum through CKON Radio and MCA communications channels, including both internal and external MCA platforms. Community members are encouraged to follow these channels to stay informed about referendum details and updates. 

ℹ️ Referendum Background: 

On February 27, 2025, community members from the districts of Kaná:takon, Tsi Snáihne, and Kawehnò:ke presented a petition at a General Meeting requesting an amendment to section 16.2 (a) of the Akwesasne Election Law (AEL). 

This section outlines the process for removing a District Chief through a community petition signed by voters. The concern raised was that section 16.2 (a) does not specify that the voter must be from the district of the Chief being petitioned for removal. 

Following the acceptance of the petition to amend section 16.2 (a), the Akwesasne Election Law Working Task Group (WTG) has been leading the amendment process as outlined in the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Procedural Regulation (ALEPR). 

After completing Phases I–III — which included a callout for community comments, a series of consultation meetings, and a legal review — the WTG has developed proposed language to be brought to the community for a referendum. 

We are now in Phase IV of the ALEPR, where eligible voters can vote in the referendum to either approve the amendment with the proposed language or reject it. 

If rejected the proposed section of the Akwesasne Election Law would be shelved for 120 days. During this 120-day period, no further development of the law on the same subject matter is permitted. 

A copy of the General Referendum Regulation can be picked up at the Akwesasne Justice Department, located at 45 Johnson Road in the village of Kaná:takon. 

📥 The ballot question to be voted on will read as follows:  

Per MCR 2025/2026 – #281: “As a Voter of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, do you approve of the proposed amendment to the Akwesasne Election Law Section 16.2(a), to read:
(a) A petition requesting the removal of a District Chief is signed by an equal number plus one of eligible voters from that District Chief’s district, based on the official total number of votes he or she received on election or by-election day, and delivered to the Council at a duly convened General Meeting; or…” 

Eligible referendum voters are responsible for ensuring their name appears on the Referendum Voters List. A member must be listed in order to vote. 

Referendum Voters Lists will be available for viewing effective Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the following locations: 

District of Tsi Snaíhne: 

• Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education & Training Institute 
• Snye Life Convenience Store 

District of Kawehnò:ke: 

• Bank of Montreal (BMO)
• Jock’s Kwik Stop 

District of Kaná:takon: 

• Canada Post Office
• Village Currency 

If your name does not appear on your respective District Referendum Voters List, you must contact the CRO and complete Schedule “G & H” to request to be added prior to the registration deadline. 

This referendum will be conducted by in-person polling station voting only.  There will be no door-to-door voting and no online voting. 

In-home voting will be limited to residents of community care or health facilities. Individuals requesting in-home voting for other reasons must contact the Chief Referendum Officer at least two (2) days prior to the advanced in-home voting dates, which have been set as: 

🗓️ Thursday, January 22, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
🗓️ Friday, January 23, 2026: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Please note that the final deadline to be added to the Referendum Voters List is Thursday, January 29, 2026, no later than 9:00 a.m. 

For more information or assistance, community members may contact the Chief Referendum Officer at the Angus Mitchell Memorial Building (15 Akwesasne Street), by calling 613-575-2250 ext. 2126, or by email at chief.electoral.officer@akwesasne.ca. 

Unofficial referendum results will be released immediately following the completion of ballot counting and will be posted on the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne website (www.akwesasne.ca) and social media platforms and announced on 97.3 CKON Radio. 

The deadline to appeal the referendum results is no later than 5:00 p.m., five (5) days after the public release of the results, and appeals must be filed with the Akwesasne Mohawk Court.