TERRITORY
The Mohawk community of Kanesatake is located on the north shore of Lake of Two-Mountains, where it meets the Ottawa River, 53 km west of Montreal. The lands set aside for the Mohawks do not constitute a reserve, and are interwoven with lands belonging to non-aboriginal people of the village and parish of Oka. The surface area of Kanesatake is 958.05 hectares. The community also includes the Doncaster Reserve, an uninhabited territory of 7,896.2 hectares located 14 km north of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, north-west of Lac-des-Îles, which is shared with the Mohawks of Kahnawake.
POPULATION
There are nearly 1,950 people in Kanesatake, with approximately 1,300 residents on the actual territory of the Mohawk.
ADMINISTRATION
Governance is assured by the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, under the direction of Grand Chief James Gabriel and 5 chiefs.
Mohawk Council of Kanesatake
681, rang Sainte-Philomène
Kanesatake (Quebec)
J0N 1E0
Telephone: (450) 479-8373
Fax: (450) 479-8249
council@netc.net
ECONOMY
Commerce, agriculture, forestry, retail sales and arts and handicrafts production are the principal economic activities of Kanesatake. Businesses and services established in Kanesatake include a general contractor, a cabinet making shop, fishing equipment suppliers, and business equipment
suppliers. Food supplies and consumer goods, arts and handicrafts, as well as an ambulance service are all available in Kanesatake.
EDUCATION
Students are educated in schools within and outside the community at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels.
A DECADE OF PROGRESS
Recently, significant progress has been made towards the establishment of stability and social order in the area and toward resolving land-related issues.
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March 1991:
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Agenda for the Negotiations within the Community of Kanesatake This agenda set out the guidelines for negotiations between the Mohawks of Kanesatake and the Government of Canada for the resolution of grievances over land-related issues.
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December 1994:
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Memorandum of Understanding over Land Purchases A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Mohawks of Kanesatake and
the Government of Canada, specifying that new land purchases by the Government of Canada be made in consultation with the Mohawks of Kanesatake.
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| April 1996: |
Resumption of Formal Negotiations Between Canada and Mohawks of Kanesatake Negotiations have subsequently continued without interruption. |
| December 1996: |
Interim Tripartite Policing Agreement This agreement was reached in 1996 by the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada. It established the authority for the Police of Kanesatake to maintain peace, order and public security within the Kanesatake territory. The Police force was established in response to recommendations made after the Oka Crisis. They provide Kanesatake with professional policing services adapted to the culture of the community.
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| Autumn 1997: |
Expansion of the Kanesatake Cemetery The Government of Canada acquired approximately 12,335 square meters of land in the area known as "The Pines." It was this burial ground that lay at the heart of the unfortunate events of 1990. The Mohawks of Kanesatake have since used this land to expand their cemetery.
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| November 1997: |
Inauguration of the Kanesatake police station June 1999:
Property Management Agreement
A property management agreement was reached in
June 1999, leading to the establishment of the
Kanesatake Orihwáshon:a Development
Corporation, which is responsible for the
management of properties purchased by Canada for
the Mohawks.
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| October 1999: |
Inauguration of an Elders Home in Kanesatake Permanent Tripartite Policing Agreement |
| June 21, 2000: |
Initialling of Land Governance Agreement |
| December 21, 2000: |
Signing of Land Governance Agreement |
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