By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Beverly Pyke has announced her plans to run in a general election for Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA).
The official nomination period for candidates hasn’t opened for the June 27th election, but Pyke is going public about her intentions.
“I have been asked by many people both on and off of the territory to run for this position,” said Pyke in a media statement.
In 2014, she led a grassroots movement to re-establish Band 59 on Cornwall Island to no avail. (Read our previous coverage by clicking here.) Pyke is also a Cornwall director of the federal Liberal riding association of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.
She has been critical of MCA’s current Mohawk Council of Chiefs (2012-2015), taking aim at a so-called lack of communication with its population of roughly 12,000 residents.
“For the past several years I have questioned many of the current council’s decisions, and there has been no change in their viewpoints or mo (modis operandi) in dealing with the people that they represent,” she said.
Pyke added: “I attend the City of Cornwall’s meetings. They are televised and the media are present to record the motions that are presented. Does the Mohawk council permit the public to attend their weekly meetings and are the local media allowed to attend? Would this not make council more transparent?”
MCA is composed of 12 district chiefs, and a grand chief, who represent Akwesasne’s three northern districts: TsiSnaihne, Kanatakon, and Kawehnoke. Four district chiefs represent each of the districts.
Mike Mitchell is finishing his second consecutive term as grand chief, having served as a political leader in Akwesasne in various roles for over 30 years.
Pyke said MCA is still “not ready for self-governance” despite its attempts.
