Research

Research on claims in Kahnawà:ke are organized in the tabs below. Click to expand.

Background

Kahnawà:ke has always made efforts to document and record its concerns regarding Seigneury of Sault St. Louis land losses. In 1994, Joan Holmes and Associates conducted a formal research project, to produce an Historical Report of the SSSL. This report was a good source for identifying and formalizing the grievance stemming from SSSL land losses.

An Executive Summary of this Research Report and related documents (to the right) are available for your review.

In 2003, Canada extended an offer to negotiate with Kahnawà:ke, on a Without Prejudice basis, the resolution of seven breaches of lawful obligation. Kahnawà:ke formally accepted the offer, which lead to the adoption of a Negotiations Protocol in 2005. In 2010, the Negotiations Protocol was renewed. Talks continue today.

Additional Documents

Seigneury Historical Video Series
Seigneury Consultation Map
Seigneury Informational Pamphlet

Official Documents

From Seigneury to Indian Reserve, Joan Holmes – (This document is only available to community members and can only be viewed, in person, at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke)

Background

From 1998 to 2005, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) filed eight Specific Claims with the Minister of Indian Affairs. These claims are: Canadian-Pacific Railway Claim, CSX Railway Claim, Mercier Bridge Claim, Hydro Line(s) 1, 2, 3, 4 Claims, and the Saint-Lawrence Seaway Expropriation Claim.

In 2007, the federal government enacted the Specific Claims Tribunal Act, drastically changing the way claims are reviewed, processed and negotiated. With the new legislation coming into effect, the federal government requested that MCK confirm its claims were “complete” as submitted, closing any opportunity to file additional information or evidence supporting the claim after it had initially been submitted. As a result, on October 16, 2008 the MCK withdrew the eight Specific Claims in order to strengthen the legal argumentation and supporting documentation and evidence.

As part of its initiative to improve the supporting evidence and documentation of the claims, the MCK conducted an Oral Testimonies Project to collect narrative evidence. The project involved a total of 48 participants, with 12 interviews conducted for each of the 4 claim categories: Seaway, Mercier Bridge, Railways, and Hydro Lines. Where agreed upon by participants, transcripts may be used to strengthen claim submissions.

Since their withdrawal, the MCK has focused on reworking the claims for re-submission. At present, the MCK has filed three re-drafted claims, namely the Mercier Bridge Claim; the Canadian-Pacific Railway Claim; and the CSX Railway Claim. The MCK is scheduled to submit two more claims pertaining to Hydro Lines by March 31st 2016, and intends to file the remaining three claims (two Hydro Line Claims and the St. Lawrence Seaway Expropriation Claim) in the following fiscal year.

NOTE: MCK has identified other potential Specific Claims, but the priority has been placed on redrafting the 8 withdrawn Specific Claims.

Additional Documents

Saint Lawrence Seaway Expropriation
Executive Summary – August 1999

Mercier Bridge
Executive Summary – January 4, 1999

CPR and CSX Railways
CPR Executive Summary – May 1, 2000
CSX Executive Summary – May 1, 2000

Hydro Lines 1, 2, 3, 4
Hydro Lines 1, 2, 3, 4 Report – Leasing of Kahnawà:ke Land – (Large document: over 200MB)
Hydro Chronology Line 1
Hydro Chronology Line 2
Hydro Chronology Line 3 & 4

Political Chronology

In 2010, the SSSL Team developed a Political Chronology of Kahnawà:ke. This chronology highlights significant political events and relations throughout Kahnawà:ke’s history. It may be of assistance to consult this resource when reviewing historical reports in order to get an overall picture of the factors and stresses bearing on Kahnawà:ke during its history.

View the Political Chronology – Last Amended March 17, 2010

Kahnawà:ke Timeline

A list of significant events that are important to develop an understanding of the history of land and land ownership in Kahnawà:ke.

Kahnawake Timeline – Some Key Events Related to Land and Resources to 1957, Daniel Rueck, 2012