[IPSM] Des élections à Kanesatake le 16 avril/Elections in Kanehs atake April 16

[Devin Butler Burke]

Des élections à Kanesatake le 16 avril

Presse Canadienne

Montréal

Une nouvelle date pour la tenue d'élections a été annoncée sur le
territoire mohawk de Kanesatake, a indiqué jeudi Radio-Canada.

Selon réseau, le scrutin a été fixé au 16 avril. Un Mohawk de Kahnawake,
Angus Montour, a offert ses services à titre de directeur des élections.

L'Assemblée des Premières Nations enverra des observateurs indépendants et
le scrutin sera supervisé par le juge Lawrence Poitras, qui avait présidé
la commission d'enquête sur la Sûreté du Québec, en 1998.

Six postes de chef et un poste de grand chef seront soumis au vote
populaire. Le mandat du Conseil de bande a pris fin le 13 juillet de l'an
dernier.

Vendredi dernier, le cabinet conseil KPMG, qui a reçu le mandat du conseil
de bande pour agir à titre de conseiller électoral indépendant, avait
estimé que le scrutin, alors prévu pour le 19 mars, devait être reporté.

Le cabinet de consultants avait jugé que les conditions ne permettaient
pas la tenue d'élections libres et démocratiques.

Cette décision avait été prise par KPMG à la suite d'une recommandation en
ce sens formulée par M. Poitras.



Kanehsatake: Everything is in place for elections on April 16th

    KANEHSATAKE, Feb. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Most of the conditions needed are
already in place to have elections in Kanehsatake on April 16. "With some
goodwill and positive support from all involved, I believe Kanehsatake can
achieve its goal of finally getting this process underway", stated Steven
Bonspille after speaking with regional Chief Ghislain Picard (Assembly of
First Nation Quebec and Labrador) and a candidate for independent
Electoral Officer.
    Kanehsatake already has the support of the AFNQL, with an observers group
and oversight committee. They are ready and willing to get started. Also,
Angus Montour, a Mohawk from Kahnawa:ke, recently offered his services as
an independent Electoral Officer. Mr. Montour was the Electoral Officer
for the last election held in Kahnawa:ke in July of 2004. He also has been
the Electoral Officer for other elections in Kahnawa:ke. Mr.Montour
oversaw the Board of Directors elections for Tewatohnhi'saktha (Economic
Development Commission), and K103 Mohawk Radio and for the last 20 years.
Mr. Montour has been in charge of holding the Board of Directors elections
for the Kahnawa:ke Moose Lodge. "I recently spoke with Mr.Montour and I'd
like to take this opportunity to officially announce my support for his
nomination for the position of Kanehsatake Electoral Officer for the 2005
MCK elections. Mr. Montour's reputation, track record and work ethic make
him the obvious choice for this position", said Mr. Bonspille.

    No security issue

    The misrepresentations of the security issue, made by KPMG and Lawrence
Poitras, have been denounced publicly by the SQ and the RCMP, both stating
that there is no security issue in Kanehsatake that would hinder elections
from taking place. "In this particular instance, I would have to agree
with the policing entities on their professional assessment of the
security situation, said Steven Bonspille. Daily life continues in
Kanehsatake. Our children are attending classes, people are going about
their daily routine and local stores and offices are open for business. I
believe this is proof positive that Kanehsatake is safe and secure."
    "I, like most members of Kanehsatake, want a fair and honest election to
be held and would like it held as soon as possible. Most of the conditions
needed to hold the election are already in place. With respect to the
rules of our electoral code, I believe our long awaited elections can be
held as early as April 16th 2005", concluded Mr. Bonspille.


For further information: Steven Bonspille, (450) 479-1157


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