Working on Claims

Between 1998 and 2005, the MCK had submitted eight specific claims to the federal government for negotiation. However, the implementation of the 2007 Specific Claims Tribunal Act changed Canada’s approach to the claims process. As a result, MCK withdrew the eight specific claims in order to re-draft and re-submit them at a later date. To date, the MCK has re-submitted three re-drafted claims and intends to submit the remaining claims in the near future.

About Land Claims

Kahnawà:ke’s engagement with the land claims process has always been proactive. The needs of a growing community require that all avenues be pursued to address the loss of our lands. In this process, Kahnawà:ke adheres to the seven generations principle, requiring consideration for the future generations of Kahnawa’kehró:non in all actions taken with implications for the future.

Kahnawa’kehró:non have always asserted that lands must be repatriated, and that compensation for the damages suffered must be paid. It has always been important to Kahnawà:ke that compensation provide for both economic losses suffered due to the taking of the lands, and for the loss of use of these lands.

Kahnawà:ke’s concerns relating to the loss of Seigneury of Sault St-Louis lands were consistently documented, in the manner of complaints of land loss in 1750, 1760, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1798, 1800, 1807, 1820, 1829, 1843, 1874, 1882, 1891, 1892, as well as into the 20th and 21st century. In 1994 the MCK entered a joint research project to clarify the historic land dispute. In 2003, the MCK accepted an offer from the government of Canada to negotiate the land grievance. In 2005, a Negotiations Protocol was signed to begin the negotiation process. The Negotiations Protocol was renewed in 2010, with talks continuing at present.