WAHTA MOHAWK TERRITORY – Members of the Wahta Men’s Fire alongside community members and elders initiated a protest in front of the Administration Office on the morning of Tuesday May 6th, 2014 to voice their displeasure with the decisions of the recently elected Council. As a result, there is no access to the Wahta Mohawk Administration Office and it has been shut down indefinitely.
Two Row Times spoke with Wahta on-reserve member Karihwakeron Tim Thompson who told us that the same group of people have been on Council for most of the last 25 years, except for a brief three-year period over the previous council term. In that period a number of important initiatives were taken up, including the development of Administration Code and Financial Management Code to ensure transparency and accountability from elected Council. These codes were developed through a participatory process that worked to ensure input from a wide swath of community members.
According to Karihwakeron the incoming Council has stated that they will not abide by the Administration or Financial Management Codes. “What do you do when your government refuses to follow its own laws? What can the people do to make sure that they do that? That’s been our dilemma,” stated Karihwakeron. He also told us that the incoming Council has put any initiative developed in the past 3 years under review, “Everything from the nursing station that we put up to serve our community to the Mohawk language program, which we’ve now been told has been cancelled.” According to the press release, a daycare facility that had been opened has already been converted into an office.
There were previous attempts to resolve the dispute but community members were left feeling unsatisfied. In their press release the Wahta Men’s Fire stated that they felt that they felt compelled to carry out this protest after feeling demeaned by the members of elected Council in public meetings.
Two Row Times also spoke with elected Chief Phillip Franks, who at the time of writing had not yet read the statement put out by the Men’s Fire but did suggest that the elected Council is interested in dialogue with those protesting outside the Administration Office. He also stated that the elected Council wants to review and conduct further consultation on the Administration or Financial Management Codes.
Karihwakeron informed us that, “There’s a groundswell of support from community members to make sure council follows our community laws.” Community members have been showing up to provide support and have donated food and water to those gathered in front of the Administration Office.
Karihwakeron finished by saying, “I think it’s going to be a moment to rally our people around. Now the hard part comes, what will it take to restore… our laws?”
An official statement was released by the Men’s Fire of Wahta this evening and reads as follows:
For Immediate Release
WAHTA MOHAWK TERRITORY – The Wahta Men’s Fire is announcing the temporary closure of the Wahta Mohawk Administration Office.
On March 15, 2014 members of a cartel who have run our community for most of the past twenty-five years returned to power. Their first decision announced publicly was to more than double thier daily honorarium to $300. Their second decision was to announce that they would not follow the laws our community put in place over the past three years for transparent governance and accountable financial administration. The Council has said that any initiative put in place over the past three years is under review. The Mohawk language program has already been cancelled, and the daycare facility has been turned into a Council office.
The Wahta Mohawk Administration Code and Financial Code were developed and ratified by community members through the exercise of participatory democracy. Among other things, the Administration Code ensures the separation of Council political decision making from Administrative program issues. The new council has taken over all of the Administrative functions. There are no longer any checks and balances. All Administrative decisions, such as hiring and firing, tendering of contracts, and allocation of program funds, are now subject to political taint. Rather than accountability and transparency, the cartel has re-instituted practices based on cronyism and nepotism.
We will be releasing evidence for public consumption.
Community members have been demeaned by the Council in public meetings and public communication to the broader membership. We have learned that these behaviours act as cover for cronyism. We will stand for it no longer. There are a few options available to us to force the Council to follow the laws of the people except the will of the people. The Administration office will renin closed until further notice.
We call on all residents of Wahta to let your voices be heard. Let us put an and to cronyism. It is time for transparency. It is time for accountability. The truth must come out so we can begin to move forward.
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For more information on this developing story follow The Two Row Times on twitter @tworowtimes or Karihwakeron’s twitter feed @okwarikowa.
I would like to say a few things about the above “Press
Release” first and foremost that the issue at hand does NOT require any media
attention, it is an internal matter and these very few people of about 15 are
making all first nations look like a disgrace, let alone the image that the
“Wahta Men’s Fire (and i use the term men lightly) is doing to the
welcoming, friendly community of Wahta.
The current council has a lot of work to do and don’t need to be addressing ridiculous
accusations, and in my opinion, there is a lot better productive things that
need to be done.
We have a previous council member, who was re-elected and he
is being a coward and standing on the protest line with the rest of them, most
of which are his buddies, and previous council members and families. He is not
working with current council he is working against C&C more than anything. He
is not following the community vision, which was put in place by the community.
These people should take note that the current C&C are what the people of Wahta wanted, and
the numbers show that. One of the people
you spoke with Tim Thompson, was running for chief in the election this past
March, and lost to Philip Franks 154-93.
So one would wonder is this protest a little on the personal side? The current council
3 out of the 4 were elected with votes ranging from 146-156. The re-elected
council member was elected with 114 votes with the other candidates having
numbers between 100-104. This whole protest could be on the personal side, as
the previous council and their families are the ones protesting,
The people who we have elected are here
to work for us, the Wahta Mohawk Members, to give transparency and accountability
to all of us, and they will. But in the meantime,
think about this for a minute the community was previously
run by a brother and sister and 2 other people who in my opinion are weak. i.e
puppets. While the new council are better for the community members, a little more
equal, 4 out of the 5 are business people running, managing, or owning successful
reputable businesses, this also will help a great deal with the ICG issues that
have been left for them, before election
time it was said that business was doing a lot better than it has in the past,
not true.
5 members in our C&C and they are
from 5 different families, they are also strong and have their own thoughts
which means better for Wahta, we don’t need puppets here.. HAHA the current
C&C are certainly not a cartel by any means as stated in the “press release”
Previous council member was living Common-law husband and owned
her own home, then proceeded to approve a housing grant for her CLH. And when
said house was completed, she moved into that house and sold her house to her
brother. Meanwhile In Wahta, there are numerous
families living in cramped rental units, waiting for grant approval so they can
build their own homes, also we have many members living in camping trailers all
year long until adequate housing is available. SO NOW tell me does that sound
like someone who is there serving their community, or someone there to serve
themselves.
In my opinion I think
it is time that the protester put their tail between their legs and let current
C&C get on with business.
Funny the issues at the band office are government political issues..THE CHIEF AND COUNCIL ARE EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT ..THEY ARE NOT TRADITIONAL PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE GREAT LAW!
MAYBE ENTER THOSE FACTS STRAIGHT… Having a status card,makes. You a statused indian , Under the Indian Act .
All those people down their protesting about being Native and Mohawks should be ashamed of themselves,.Saying they have mohawk warriors at the mens fire ?what mens fire? Wow really? David Stocks friends ?
Who if they were actual Warriors they would have lost respect of him when they heard how he threatend and molested women and children one which was his own.CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER and his disrespect with animals and the inhumane way he treats the earth.. How often would you see any of wahtas people actually participating in traditions or cultural activities??Has one ever entered our LongHouse on wahta ,or even off reserve longhouses? or spoke with our actual traditional chief? Yes we have one. .
All these people are listening to hearsay, and rumours none are actually educated in the truths and facts and they are hardly interested in hearing it. . All it comes down to is who is in control over money .. who is in control of secret documents….ooooooooo..maybe we should just move back to oka and give wahta back to the government . The former council bragged on wahta being soverign ,when wahta is soo close to being a town instead of a mohawk community .very disgusting.
Personal gain = shame on the whole community …
this is great! i am happy that people are having a voice, are you living in wahta?
Nope, but i am their daily and aware on what goes on..
White or brown? Who are You? Above that is. You are the reason some people are disgusting!! You judge, you accuse, you are a disgrace to the human people and would not last in our First Nations community!! You need to settle down and get your facts straight and quite bleeding at the mouth with that evil tongue. If you are unhappy, you leave your shit at home, don’t go bubbling at the mouth about something you know nothing about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Home, off our territory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Local man added to sexual offender list
by Boris Swidersky Special to the North Star BRACEBRIDGE – A Georgian Bay Township man described as “a respected member of his community” by defense counsel, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual interference with a female under the age of 14 and was sentenced in Bracebridge superior court September 22. David Stock, 37, was sentenced to two years less a day. Stock received eight and a half months total credit for pre-trial custody and will have to serve another 15 months. He will also have to submit a DNA sample and his name will appear on a registry of sexual offenders for 20 years. He will serve a further three years probation. “I am of the view that sexual interference is an act of violence,” said Justice John Evans. Defense attorney Graham Clark read from a medical report that said Stock has no pedophiliac tendencies. The incidents related to the charges happened when the victim was between the ages of 10 and 12 and ended in August 2004. “The damage will never heal fully but I am moving on,” said the victim, reading from a prepared statement. Mr. Stock is scheduled to appear in the Bracebridge courthouse again, October 16, to face charges related to an illegal hunting operation in Georgian Bay Township. Following a 16-month investigation, 69 charges were filed against eight men for the illegal sale of moose, bear, and deer meat, possession of a bear gall bladder and, and for providing hunting opportunities for other individuals to go hunting out of season as well, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Thats just the one newspaper article on it
Wow as a member of wahta mohawk ,I do not stand behind these protestors. They need to stop saying that they are speaking for the community,because they are only spreading more lies …. I would never listen to DAVID STOCK the convicted pedophile , such disgust those others sit their and call themselves warriors and True Mohawks.they dont protect their children and they are worried about. Transparency?LOL ..GROW UP..go home lick your wounds…old council hired davie stock to be the conservation officer on wahta after he has been charged numerous times over the years with selling gullbladders , white tail deer, fish, poaching ,brutally killing animals every chance he has…has a weapons ban, got caught with automatic weapons..raped and threatened how many women and children on wahta .#whatafuck …
Why didnt they ask me if i want a convicted pedophile lurking around wahta ,or anyone else for that matter?? The small group that is holding protest,are the only ones in agreement with that desicion.If you asked them personally about david stock being in that position .they would tell you themselves its a joke, His brother Danny Stock was a member of the formal council .how and why do you think David Stock was hired??
Or our Mohawk Language teacher ,where does he come from? And why ,when we have TWO certified teachers that i know about, that are from our reserve and would not take up housing.that were already willing to be hired.. . Why dont the protestors talk about JeFf Diabo who formal council hired to provide consultation and avisory services..JeFf Diabo was paid 5000$ a month over 18 months totally 90 000 PLUS travel back n forth to his home community in Montreal..He was also given rental accomadations and never paid rent ,which was stated in the contract to be $300/monthy..After Jeff Diabo was reviewed for his accomplishments on wahta over the past 18 months…GUESS WHAT JEFF could not provide ANY details of his job description, let alone any work that he has actually provided for wahta.
Could post all as one comment …*sorry
I think its going to take more then a lawyer to help Wahta and the division of the community.. Its time for a new start . Its time for a New Vote , these last 2 groups of council should NOt be eligible to run for next vote and we should have a REVOTE..
.transparency .. what is their too hide? Why not have the whole community inside the administration buidling and lets all go thru the documents….what is their too hide, all the past decisions have been made by past councils and our past generations of families, who sat throughtout the meeetings and made the decisions to be carried out for the next 7 generations ..so why not let us all see the way its supposed to be, what was intended..and if the intentions back then dont suit the needs of todays community and the next 7 generations then lets work together and fix and change the nessacary but if it continues too carry on and be all about money greed and land then your all doomed …your all going to continue to ruin what could be such a beautiful thing,such a thriving happy and healthy environment ..we are all smart enough and have the tools why not cut the shit and stop making it all about personal gain..Pandoras box is a precious thing, i wouldnt compare wahtas files too it, although it would be interesting ,it all just seems negative….their is people on wahta who do good everyday in the community and it goes unnoticed..only because their isnt money being exchanged or land being scammed and bought…
I say, why copy the whiteman method of election. Geeze, get off playing office and research your ancestors methods. Much more loving and kind way of choosing leaders. That’s the problem, everyone playing house, office and politics. Get off the whitemans horse and ride your own!!
Get off the whitemans horse? Ya .I‘ll forever pay for the ancestors ways?? You are obviously one of those people that dont understand the way things work, wahta is not a sovergien community ,do you understand what that means?? People May have always intended to follow the actual natives way, the more “loving and kind way“ of choosing leaders..like you put it ,but Thats not how it is,is it? Of course thats the way it should be.. you obviously didnt read what i wrote close enough, to come attack as quick as you did..you my friend are a good example of disrespect ..Those are type ,that need too listen . Theirs rules to follow everywhere you go ,wahta has had lots of time too get things together ,in order from previous councils and chiefs who like i said are employees of the government.. WE have had plenty of time to take our reserve and make our own functioning community,but instead we choose to fight with each other , we all are fighting the wrong political people……please tell me im wrong June if you dont agree
I missed the pedohile partk, irregardless, it is up to the healthy people then to stand stronger and not have this degrading information plastered all over facebook. It’s disgraceful to my people to see and hear such evil talk. sounds like the whole place needs shut down and you all go to treatment!!!!!!!!!!!
Really June? .it sounds like you need treatment and are frothing at the mouth!Let me guess youre one of the healthy ones?? Calm down . You obviously need more education..
Go home off the land? Im sorry hun ,born and raised here !!what is it I say that you dont like? These are all PUBLIC FACTS.. where do you get your information?? Facebook?
What does white or brown have to do with anything?
If im not happy I can leave my shit at home ??? Sorry ,not happening dont read what i write ,if your sooo offended.. You need to just be quiet because you sound very immature,thanks for your opinion but its basically obsolete….
YOUR PEOPLE???? LOL have a nice day June :)
With regards ,
Solid
maybe theses people should hire a lawyer and start a legal case. In the meantime, take your garbage home with you.
David aka davie stock is a known and convicted pedophile ….why is his name being brought up in any type of representation of wahta..and why is he so concerned with the daycare ??How others can associate and stand beside such a cold ,disgusting individual is beyond the citizens of wahta…Always remember BIRD OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!!
In the interest of fairness
I am a member living in the community at Wahta Territory and want to say that the
information in correspondence being circulated by the group calling itself “The
Wahta Men’s Fire” has a lot of errors, omissions and stretching of the truth.
The current Chief and Council were elected by a notable majority of the people to
make change from the direction that the past Council had taken without adequate
participation of the membership and for failing to follow the enacted laws of
the community.
The past Council refused to follow the Wahta Mohawk Election Regulations to hold a
bi-election for the vacant seat of the Chief against many appeals from the
community to do so for over two years.
The Wahta citizens upon being continuously ignored finally exhausted all
other avenues to be heard took the next step as provided under Wahta election
regulations and presented a petition to Council to remove them from office for
loss of confidence of the people for failing to call the bi-election. A two year confrontation with the community resulted in Court proceedings and an election was finally called at the end of
their term. This resulted in exorbitant legal fees for both parties and has created a
huge divide between the community and the past Council and their supporters.
The election March 15, 2014 spoke volumes about who the community trusts to move
forward. The new Council has inherited this untenable legacy which created
fear, anger and hatred that has permeated and divided the Wahta Mohawk
organization (the staff) and the community.
Since the election the members of the Wahta Menes Fire (members of the past Council
and their unsuccessful candidate for Chief) have undertaken a strategic
concerted effort to cause chaos and confusion in the administration office, at
community meetings and with outside affiliated organizations (including letter
writing campaigns) on a regular basis.
They have taken positions against Council and decision of Council that
do not represent the members of Wahta.
The community is currently deeply divided.
The failure of the past Council to follow the community laws and call a
bi-election anytime over that two year period would have avoided the problem
this community is experiencing today.
The current Council was elected to make change and they are following
the wishes of the community. This Chief and Council have identified these diametrically opposed viewpoints as the source of the problem today and have been trying to find ways to resolve the
conflict between all parties so the community can begin to heal and move
forward together. The decisions of the past Council, their legal advisor and the electoral officer further compounded the problems by the perceived failure to run a fair election process. Allegations have been made legally and these ssues are still outstanding and the possibility of further legal actions
attributed to that issue still hangs over the community. Meeting the demands of a vocal group and
attempting to right the wrongs of the past are huge undertakings in any first
nation community. That is the case here at Wahta.
The balancing act of being supportive and carrying out the mandate given by the
people while dealing with the unresolved issues of the past Council have put
this Council in a no win situation.
Making everyone feel like they have been heard and then making the best
decisions for the community as they are elected to do is difficult at the best
of times. This is the worst of times. I think if the community wants to recover from this feeling of loss of power and control and equal representation then the outstanding issues will have to be
determined by a third party independent mediator.
The recently formed Wahta Men’s Fire holds itself out to be the Voice of the People
but truthfully it represents a small portion of the full membership and their
convoluted view of the issues they have raised.
They have offered no alternatives to their demands and the community
will not be held hostage to a small group who wrongfully asserts its
responsibility for the members of Wahta Mohawks and uses an adversarial
approach meant to discredit and demean the work of this Council. The majority of the members of Wahta Mohawkssupport the decisions and work of this Chief and Council.
A Concerned Citizen of Wahta
Quik question for you Kristan, Are you a Canadian?
I am a Mohawk citizen of Wahta Mohawks, and yes, I am a Canadian.
Wrong! If ur a member of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Nation ur not Canadian! Know ur history!!
Actually I never said I was Haudenosaunee, I said I was a Mohawk member of Wahta Mohawks.
Mohawks are Haudenosaunee, If you choose loyalty to Canada then you forfeit your citizenship.
Canadians Who become citizens of other nations cease to be Canadian citizens. Its kinda complicated, but as a Canadian Citizen, it conflicts with citizenship of the mohawk citizenship.
also its against the law (Kaianerekowa) according to wampum 58
i’m not sure how this would apply to the individual (Mohawk) nations, but as members to the Great Peace, this should apply to all those who claim to be a functioning part of the mohawk society and separate from canada.
This “wampum” is a safe guard, which prevents people from joining another nations and being able to sign away the rights of those who remain.
We are the Keepers of the Eastern Door. The Great Law cannot be enforced without our agreement.
“I am a Mohawk citizen of Wahta Mohawks, and yes, I am a Canadian.”
Sorry dear but you can’t be Mohawk AND Canadian. The Great Law forbids it.
Misinformation is rampant in this article. As a friend of Wahta Mohawks, I found it difficult to interpret the words quoted. I would suggest a reporter talk to those that will inherit the earth (the younger band members) whose views should/could/might/ be of significance and more easily interpreted..
well said
I find there is a lot of information missing out of the above article.
1. the daycare facility they are referring to has not been in operation in at least 15 years,
2. The Wide sawth of community members for the codes.. It was 28 people who passed these codes out of membership of over 700.
3.During this time of The Mens fire shut down of the administration building they have made it
A) unusable for the community
B) The senior had outtings that were cancelled because of this, seniors are an important part of our community.
C), there are children who had tutoring that has been canceled because of these few people. let alone for
D)The nursing station within the administration building, that was not accessible, to those in need or those with appointments.
* How does that serve your community, it doesn’t.
4.they say the Language classes have been Cancelled? they have only been postponed until the fall,
On, another note, our council chambers and chiefs office has been in our administration building for many many years, and it wasnt until the last council term of 3 years that this was moved to another location, being in the administration office makes council and chief avalible to community all community members.
These are just the ramblings of a few members disgruntled at having lost the last election (in a landslide). They do not represent the majority of the people of Wahta. The last administration was corrupt beyond belief and cannot let go of the power they wielded.
so true, they dont want current council to open pandoras box
Actually I believe my exact words were it is time to open Pandora’s box. If you are going to steal my words use them in the correct context. Thank you!
I believe Happy Citizen is saying that the protestors are protecting the Pandora’s box that the past council had created and do not want opened. And I totally agree with you that it is time to open Pandora’s box and get everything settled and dealt with then move forward and do good for the whole community.
that is exactly what I meant, thank you for clarifying that for me,