Council

MEET YOUR COUNCIL

Get to know the members of the Mohawk Council of Kanehsatà:ke. Meet the individuals who represent our community and work to protect its interests, address its needs, and contribute to its future.

Ratitsénhaiens | Council

Skátne ionkwaió’te ne ónkwe akorihwá:ke | Working Together for the People

The Council of Chiefs is the political body of the organization and is comprised of one grand chief and six chiefs. The Grand Chief and Chiefs are elected every four years and is responsible for the sound governance of the organization, to ensure appropriate delivery of programs and services.

Caretaker Council Chiefs

Chief Brant Etienne brings experience in community governance, public safety, and land-related issues. His work as a Chief reflects a strong focus on protecting Kanehsatà:ke’s collective interests, strengthening local governance and supporting initiatives that enhance community well-being and long-term sustainability.

Contact information:
etienne.brant@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373 #104

Call
Email

Chief Amy Beauvais has extensive experience in finance, administration, and service delivery. She strives to contribute to strengthening governance structures and advancing initiatives that support families, education, and essential community services, with a practical and solutions-oriented approach.

Contact information 
beauvais.amy@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373 #138

Call
Email

Chief John Canatonquin has a strong background in governance, administration, and economic and community development. His experience includes supporting infrastructure growth, financial oversight, and initiatives aimed at improving social and economic conditions within Kanehsatake.

Contact information 
canatonquin.john@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373 #112

Call
Email

Chief Denise David is a respected leader with long-standing experience in governance, education, and cultural preservation. Her work emphasizes community continuity, capacity-building, and the protection and transmission of Kanien’ké:ha language, culture, and knowledge.

Contact information
david.denise@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373 #105

Call
Email

Chief Serge Otsi Simon is a highly experienced and dedicated leader with decades of involvement in Kanehsatà:ke governance. He is widely recognized for his expertise in political leadership, intergovernmental relations, and advocacy on Indigenous rights, land issues, and self-determination.

Contact information 
simon.serge@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373 #107

Call
Email
View Former Councils

Note: As a result of the General Election’s August 2nd voting event cancellation by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Federal Court granted the 2021-2025 Outgoing Council a mandate of simple administration pending the final disposition of a judicial review review. Updates on this matter are being provided as soon as they become available, in the News and Updates section.

Portfolios

  • ALL CHIEFS
  • 1st Chief Denise David
  • 2nd Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 1st Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 1st Chief John Canatonquin
  • 2nd Chief Serge Simon
  • 3rd Chief Brant Etienne
  • 1st Chief Denise David
  • 2nd Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 3rd Chief Serge Simon
  • 1st Chief Serge Simon
  • 2nd Chief Brant Etienne

 

  • 1st Chief John Canatonquin

  • 2nd Chief Denise David

  • 3rd Chief Amy Beauvais

  • 1st Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 2nd Chief Brant Etienne
  • 1st Chief John Canatonquin
  • 2nd Chief Denise David
  • 3rd Chief Amy Beauvais

  • 1st Chief John Canatonquin

  • 2nd Chief Brant Etienne

  • 3rd Chief Amy Beauvais

  • 1st Chief Serge Simon
  • 2nd Chief Brant Etienne

  • 1st Chief Brant Etienne

  • 2nd Chief Serge Simon

  • 1st Chief John Canatonquin
  • 2nd Chief Denise David 
  • 3rd Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 1st Chief Brant Etienne
  • 2nd Chief Denise David
  • 3rd Chief Amy Beauvais
  • 1st Chief Brant Etienne
  • 2nd Chief Serge Simon

  • 1st Chief Amy Beauvais

  • 2nd Chief Brant Etienne

  • ALL CHIEFS

Ohenten Karihwatehkwen

Thanksgiving Address

Learn More

Band Council Resolutions Summary

In an effort to increase transparency, the Council provides a list of summary Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) dated on or after May 2021. The list is updated periodically – Please note that a delay is to be expected between the adoption and the publication of any BCR on this list.

Access The List

BCRs are public documents and available to consult at the Band Office, by appointment only. 

To book an appointment:

Bertha Gabriel

reception@kanesatake.ca
(450) 479-8373# 101

Call
EMAIL
Scroll to Top

Ohenten Kariwatekwen

The words that are spoken before all others

In this traditional greeting, we thank and acknowledge all elements of creation.

We who have gathered are responsible that our cycle continues. We have been given the
duty to live in harmony with one another and with other living things.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the people gathered here, that
everyone is at peace here where we live on Earth…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for Mother Earth. She has given us
everything we need to live in peace…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the food plants. They help us when
we’re hungry…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for fruits and especially strawberry, the
head of the berry family…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the grasses. Some we use as food and
some as medicine…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for water; the rivers, the lakes, the oceans,
and that clean water keeps running all over the earth. It keeps our thirst quenched…now our
minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for fish. They give us strength so we don’t
go hungry…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for medicines, that they still help us when
we are sick…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for wild animals, that they still help us
when we are cold and hungry…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the trees, especially maple, the head of
their family, that it still creates sap as the Creator made it to do…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the birds, that we still hear the nice
singing that they bring, especially the head of the bird family—the eagle is its name…now our
minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for our grandfathers the thunderers, that
they make new waters…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the four winds, that they still do what
the Creator has asked them to do…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for our brother, the sun, that it is still bright
and warms the earth…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for our grandmother, the moon, that she is
still in charge of when children are born…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the stars, that they dress the sky for our
grandmother, the moon…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give thanks for the four messengers; their job is to take
care of the people…now our minds are one.

We bring our minds together as one and give our thanks to the Creator for everything that he has done for the people…now our minds are one.