Laws & Governance
UNDERSTANDING OUR GOVERNANCE
Explore the laws, principles and governance structures that guide the Mohawk Council of Kanehsatà:ke and support the community.
Rotinohseshá:ka
Iroquois Confederacy
Guided by our values, leadership works to represent the voices of our people with integrity and protect our collective rights in the spirit of the Great Law. The Rotinohseshá:ka encompasses both political and spiritual aspects with ceremonies held througout the year to acknowledge and give thanks to the Creator for all the foods and medicines that Mother Earth provides us and to give names to the children (or adults) born or adopted into the Rotinohseshá:ka.
Kayanere’kó:wa | Principles of the Great Law
Skennen | Peace
A commitment to internal harmony, respectful relationships, and the cessation of conflict.
Kanikonriio | Good Mind
Leadership through clear-mindedness, compassion, truthfulness, and integrity.
Kahswenhtha | Collective Strength
The strength that comes from unity, consensus, and shared responsibility.
The Mohawks of Kanehsatà:ke Custom Electoral Code
The Custom Electoral Code is the framework that governs the Council and guides the electoral process.
The Ethics Commission – An instrument of the Custom Electoral Code
The Ethics Commission is dedicated to upholding the integrity and ethical standards of Council members as outlined in the Custom Electoral Code, playing a crucial role in ensuring fairness and transparency in addressing vacancies, dismissals, and appeals related to various reasons including misconduct and absenteeism.
Matters brought before the Ethics Commission
2024 : Bonspille et al. - Appeal demanded by letter dated March 6th, 2024
- Public Hearing – March 17, 2025
Public Hearing of Victor Bonspille and Valerie Bonspille’s appeal of their dismissal for wrongful conduct and ethical violations of the Electoral Code.
- Decision: Final Reasons – March 26, 2025
Ethics Commission official decision confirming the due dismissal of Victor Bonspille and Valerie Bonspille for wrongful conduct and ethical violations of the Electoral Code.
- Virtual emergency community meeting – March 29, 2025
Community meeting to discuss the Ethics Commission decision with community members.
Land Governance Code (2001)
The Land Governance Code sets out the fundamental rules which apply to the exercise of jurisdiction over the lands.
Kanehsatà:ke Laws
Kanehsatá:ke Law-making process – In effect
Under the Kanehsatà:ke Law-Making Process (KLMP), community members can propose or help create laws that are transparent and reflective of our values and customs.
Draft Laws
Trespass Law
Affirms jurisdiction & sovereignty, protects community health & safety by establishing legal tools to prevent harmful & unauthorized access, reflects a commitment to protecting the land for the next seven generations, and introduces clear procedures and legal recourse for trespassing.
State of Emergency Law
Enables effective responses to emergencies for the health, safety and well-being of members and land, reflects our commitment to protecting the land & people for the next 7 generations, establishes procedures to manage emergencies, including evacuation, shelter, & essential services, and requires that emergency declarations & measures be communicated.
Ethics Law
Outlines ethical standards, responsibilities, and conduct expected of Council Members. It includes rules on leadership roles, conflict of interest, disclosure, use of MCK property, employment restrictions, and penalties for violations, aiming to ensure transparency, integrity & accountability in operations, grounded in the community’s inherent rights and guiding principles.
Land Protection Law
Protects lands, water, habitat, & resources for the next seven generations, prohibits pollution and harmful activities for clean air, water, & land, enables investigation and enforcement through authorized officers and legal processes, reinforces transparency and community involvement by allowing any person to submit anonymous complaints and requires MCK to investigate.
Workshops recordings
Several public information sessions and workshops were held on the four draft laws.
Workshop of July 14, 2025
Workshop of April 28, 2025
Workshop of May 12, 2025 – Part 1
Workshop of May 12, 2025 – Part 2
Four (4) draft laws were presented to the community for input in 2025, under the KLMP. They were put to a ratification vote on July 19, 2025, which did not reach the 20% minimum participation threshold.
Court decisions
MOHAWK COUNCIL OF KANESATAKE v. GRAEME DREW et AL.
Federal Court Order and Judgement – Justice Grammond – September 28, 2026
MOHAWK COUNCIL OF KANESATAKE v. GRAEME DREW et AL.
Federal Court Order and Judgement – Justice Ngo – October 16, 2025
MOHAWK COUNCIL OF KANESATAKE V. SYLVESTRE
Supreme Court Judgment: Appeal Dismissal