The federal government has given us three options, three requests, that need to be done by a full council. It's obvious that the full council does not want to adhere to these requests. That is why I asked for veto power from the federal government to accept that. It was out of respect, but that respect has gone out the window right now. I haven't even gotten a response to my request. Our community is now wondering why this is not happening.
The federal government has left on the table these three requests that need to be done by a full council signage, which is going to be impossible at this point. It's a political vacuum. With the avenues I have within my mandate, we've been trying hard to try to rectify this and come to a solution for many years now, since I was mandated in 2021 as the new grand chief of Kanesatake. The previous grand chief ignored these issues.
When I was brought in, I did my mandate and I did my platform and I came through with my promises. I removed the band council resolution and the agreement from council. I was even able to have the owners of G&R turn over the lands to our community. That's one of the agreements the federal government wants, because they will not fund a privately owned property. I had those lands reverted back to the Mohawk Council. That's when these agreements were put forward by the federal government.
Now they're left on the table. My community and I and Chief Valerie and members like Mr. Cross here and our department of the environment are fighting for that and fighting against our own...these individuals who are supposed to be there for the community.