[IPSM] After the Election.. Still Unclear in Kanehsatake

[Mike D]

Bonspille elected in Kanesatake
CBC News

The new Grand Chief of Kanesatake is being warmly received by the Quebec 
government.

Steven Bonspille was elected to lead the Mohawk community this weekend, 
ousting long-time leader James Gabriel.

Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley says the vote marks an important step 
for the community and will be the beginning of a new relationship with 
Kanesatake.

He says he spoke to Bonspille Sunday night and discussed public security.

Some skepticism from residents

The vote was carried out under the watchful eye of an independent auditor, 
and the Sret du Qubec was also there.

Although the election in Kanesatake was a peaceful one, resident Earl 
Nelson says very few people are completely satisfied with the result.

"The people I talked to so far, they were happy, but not happy about the 
six council chiefs that are in there," Nelson said Sunday, after the 
results of the vote were announced.

None of Bonspille's six co-candidates was elected.

Bonspille beat out Gabriel by just 31 votes, and for the moment, his 
entire council is made up of Gabriel supporters, who, in theory, are his 
rivals.

The situation doesn't sit well with Gladys Jacob, a member of the troubled 
community which was forced to delay this election several times because of 
tension and violence.

Arsonists struck Gabriel's house in January 2004, and he stayed away from 
the community for months, saying he feared for his personal safety.

"I'm happy for one thing because we have a new chief," she says. "But the 
rest, I was disappointed. Not even a couple of the new councillors got in, 
and I find it very weird. You know, I would say that's all fixed."

In fact, there are doubts the new band council will even work.

"I've never seen a result like this. I think it represents a stalemate, 
that's all I can see for the moment," says Charlie MacDonald, who lives in 
the area.

And nobody's certain how long a stalemate could last.

Much of the community hopes the council will work together, but a few 
people say nothing short of another election will do the trick.

The first meeting of the new council is scheduled for Tuesday morning