Shé:kon sewakwé:kon,
Today John Harding and I, representing a group of community members delivered an official request for information to All MCK elected officials as well as certain other individuals holding administrative positions responsible for some of the information sought. We also did this, in good faith for all community members seeking answers and change for the future. On a personal note I wish to once again express that I am not doing this under any motivation toward political aspiration but rather to carry out my responsibility to our ancestors, elders, our children and those yet to come. One day, perhaps I will meet my great grand children and I will know that at the very least, I made efforts to leave them something better than what we started with. We can no longer continue to operate in the status quo, a system that sees us fail time and time again, a system that sees us divided at every corner. It is time for serious change and I do not mean yet another kick at the cat which keeps us in the same vicious circle. I hope that we can all come together, traditional or not, no matter our beliefs or religion, we have a lot more in common at the root than what divides us. Let’s work together for a charge toward true change.
The following are the facts from June 30 2020 regarding the service of the document:
At 09:59, we arrived at the Band office where the Tuesday MCK meeting was being held and rang the bell. We were greeted shortly after and explained we needed to see the council and that they knew that we were coming. I note that I tried to get us added to the meeting agenda for a 5 to 10 minute period to present a written request for information. This was denied.
At 10:05, Valerie Bonspille came out the front of the band office and told us they were taking a break. I serve her the copy of the request for information and gave a brief explanation. She thanked us and told us that Serge Otsi Simon denied us entry to their meeting but that they would be coming out for break. She also told us that Serge Simon had gone out the side door of the band office for his break.
At 10:06, Garry Carbonnell came out and he was served with a brief explanation. He thank us.
At 10:07, at the Side door of the Band office, Serge Otsi Simon was sitting on the steps smoking and looking down at his phone. He didn’t look up at us. I greeted him and he still did not look up. I handed him the document which he was reluctant to take but did. He said: “You Know guys if this is about the land claims, I’m not allowed to tell you anything.” I explained that the document was self explanatory and that there were also other issues being addressed as well as land claims. I said that hopefully they can look at it today in their meeting and that they had 10 business days to respond. He put the document down on the step and continued looking down at his phone as if our matter wasn’t of importance to him.
At 10:09, Outside of the Health Center we served the request to Patricia Meilleur, Christine Meilleur, Leona Bonspiel annd Marie-Claude Bernard. I gave a brief explanation and they thank us. John Canatonquin was inside, I asked if someone would be willing to get him, Leona opened the door and he was sitting in the board room. He came out.
At 10:10, we served John Canatonquin with the request for information as well as a brief explanation.
At 10:12, we returned to the band office and served Victor Bonspille with the request for information and provided him with a brief explanation.
At 10:13, we serve Dakota Simon, president of the Health Center’s board of the directors with the request for information. I provided him with a brief explanation. He was rather enthusiastic and pleasant.
At 10:15, we serve Bruce Montour a copy of the request for information and provided a brief explanation.
Each individual member of council was served independently their own copy of the request because they were all elected individually to serve the people of Kanehsata:ke and they are each individually responsible to carry out those responsibilities. It is up to all of them to make their decision to answer or not to the people.
Please let us know your thoughts, publicly or privately as we know that a lot of us live under fear of reprisal and employment loss.
Niawen tanon Skennen.
Here is a PDF of the document served for your review.
Scroll below to see the document on this webpage.
She:kon,
First I want to thank everyone for the incredible effort and research of gathering information and formulating it into a letter for everyone to understand and follow. It was articulated well and, from the information I personally know and what I’ve witnessed, I believe the information emphasizes events based on facts.
From someone who has recently experienced the backlash of speaking up against the MCK and asking them to honor their word, I know first hand how quickly not just an employee but an entire program can be disposed of in one fell sweep of a BCR. It’s always the security of our livelihood that is threatened and used as leverage to ensure we remain silent and “fall into place”. It’s the same for many employees, you speak up against injustices your employment is the first thing that comes into jeopardy. For far too long we have been promised there would be grievance committees set up independent of the MCK, but of course, this was never done, why, because it wouldn’t serve the needs of the Council.
We placed our trust and loyalty in a group of people believing that the best interest and well being of the collective would always come first but once again we were deceived. Our Council has made numerous decisions behind closed doors and are unapproachable when asked to explain what they base their decisions on. They do not display any need to be transparent nor accountable for their actions and this must change.
I don’t want to personalize the situation that I’m presently experiencing with the MCK, but as the Coordinator of Shakotihenté:se-Kanesatake Crime Prevention, I have a team of awesome and caring people to think of as well. It sickens me to remain silent when there are definitely issues that need to come to light concerning their recent actions. Once again it was a decision made by the Council without consultation. I would be willing to discuss this matter further with you.
I will definitely support and attend any public meeting organized in the near future and will encourage others to attend as well. It’s time we get our voice back.
Job well-done everyone… Niawankowa
Ellen, niawenhkó:wa for sharing with us! Dialogue like this is very important and will only further our efforts toward change! We appreciate your courage for speaking out, we must all find it inside us because bringing about meaningful change is not an easy task and can at times be uncomfortable and bring about some personal risk. We look forward to discussing with you in the future! Senhniseriióhak!
Kwe Ellen, Niawen for your in dept thoughts and we are all disgusted with how our people are being treated while in the employ of this band council and now employees are forced to sign gag orders which are so far away from our culture of freedom to know.
Niá:wen Ellen for your bravery to stand up and speak up. I’ve heard from many employees of MCK who are fearful and who’ve been mistreated, threatened, yelled at, and even let go. There is a toxicity to the present work environment.
But as we, the Community move forward together, my hope is that we can put an end to the bullying and that other people might come forward with their stories and experiences. We all have a right to speak and engage when it comes to our community affairs. Employees shouldn’t need to be silenced or sign gag orders or threatened when doing so.
How else will our community progress in a positive direction if we can’t hear and share our collective hopes or visions of what Kanehsatà:ke could be?
Skén:nen