Environment
Protecting Our Land for Future Generations
Dedicated to protecting Kanehsatà:ke’s land, water, and natural resources through environmental stewardship, community engagement, and initiatives that support a healthy environment for generations to come.
Ionkwateriwaièn:ni
Mission Statement
Ratishontsanonhstats | The Environment Office was established to develop and implement environmental policies, programs, and safety measures for the community of Kanehsatà:ke, in order to protect and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Responsabilities
The department’s work focuses on environmental protection, monitoring, community health, and sustainable stewardship of natural resources. The Environment office includes professionals dedicated to research, policy development, and programming. Their work is driven by community priorities to safeguard land, water, and ecosystems in the territory.
Organizational role
The Environment Office operates as a technical and advisory arm of the Mohawk Council of Kanehsatà:ke, providing environmental expertise to community leaders, supporting environmental planning, and ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into community decisions and projects.
Environmental Policy & Planning
Ratishontsanonhstats develops and maintains community-specific environmental policies, standards, and safety measures that reflect local needs and values. The also department supports the development and review of environmental protection strategies and draft laws, including land protection legislation designed to strengthen environmental stewardship at the community level.
Environmental monitoring and assessment
The department conducts monitoring of soil, water, and other environmental media to assess conditions and identify potential health and ecological risks. This includes participation in community- based research, such as the Kanehsatà:ke Environmental Contaminants Health and Impact Project, which has measured contaminant levels in soil, water, and plants to better understand exposure risks.
With funding from the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program, the Environment Department has led community-driven contaminant assessments, including soil, water, and plant sampling, to better understand potential exposure pathways and health impacts. This research has built local monitoring capacity and informed future environmental planning.
Community engagement and education
Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility. Ratishontsanonhstats works with community members to raise awareness about environmental health issues, share information about environmental conditions, and support community-driven priorities for environmental protection. The department regularly engages with community members through workshops, notices, and participation opportunities to ensure that local voices shape environmental priorities and land management decisions.
Collaboration and partnerships
The department collaborates with academic institutions, federal and provincial partners, and peer Indigenous organizations to strengthen technical capacity and access scientific resources that support environmental assessments and community-driven solutions.
Response to environmental issues
While regulatory enforcement falls under provincial and federal authorities, the department supports reporting, communication, and advocacy related to community concerns about environmental harms, including ongoing concerns about soil dumping and contamination that affect local ecosystems and community health.
READ: Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Kanienʼkehá:ka Community of Kanehsatà:ke
Contact Us
Ratishontsanonhstats | Environment Office
681 Ste-Philomène
Kanehsatà:ke, QC J0N 1E0
(450) 479-8373, ext. 160 | 162
Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM