Revitalizing Kahnawake: A New Environment Advisory Group Takes Shape

The Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) is eager to connect more with community members. To do this, they plan to create an advisory group that will help them understand community priorities better.

Benjamin Green-Stacey, the director of KEPO, shared, “This committee will bring together voices from various fields. We want to create laws and regulations that are practical and beneficial for everyone.” The goal is to hear from people who usually don’t participate in discussions about environmental issues.

KEPO will soon call for participants to join the advisory group, with a deadline expected in March. They aim to have the group up and running by April.

Unlike other groups formed through the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK), this committee welcomes representatives from the two Longhouses in town, ensuring a broader range of voices. Green-Stacey emphasized the importance of collaboration: “Everyone should be on the same page. We need to work together effectively.”

Beyond gathering input, the advisory group will help create a vision for environmental protection and suggest ideas for future laws. Currently, there is no dedicated environmental protection law in Kahnawake, though the office is working on regulations aimed at safeguarding the St. Lawrence River. A framework outlining community priorities has already been submitted to Kahnawake’s legislative commission.

Council chief Jeremiah Johnson, who leads legislation efforts, pointed out the need for these laws: “With new businesses and risks emerging, we must protect our land and people.” A dedicated environmental law could enforce penalties for issues like illegal dumping, ensuring that community members are held accountable.

“We need the ability to enforce these rules,” Johnson said. “Without protections in place, we risk exploitation.” An environmental law could also outline how KEPO should be consulted on development projects in their territory.

Green-Stacey added, “It’s essential to balance development with the conservation of critical habitats for endangered and migratory species.” He noted that the community has faced frustrations due to a lack of consistent legislation and processes, a situation that also affects MCK-led initiatives.

Creating a strong environmental framework is critical for the health and safety of Kahnawake’s land and people. This collaborative approach promises a more sustainable future for the community.