b'CHIEF PROFILESustainable Partnerships in a Strong CommunityGrand Chief Abram Benedict discusses Akwesasnes recent achievements and hope for the future BY JENNIFER PEREIRA-ASHAWASEGAIT he Mohawk Council offrom well over 100 years ago, when theproviders, they are very apprehensive to Akwesasne has a guidingCrown took some of Akwesasnes landgo through the United States to provide mission statement: Withwith an illegal surrender and gave itservices. In some cases, if those service a good mind, it is ouraway to settlers. We took the federalproviders are licensed professionals, responsibility to protect and exercise ourgovernment to court through the landslike therapists, they are required to inherent rights while creating sustain- claim process and settled out of court,have Quebec licensing as well, which able partnerships and building a strongadds Benedict. is always an issue. So, doctors and community for future generations.While that claim has wrapped up,nurses that work in our community Under the leadership of Grand ChiefAkwesasne is working on anotherhave to have provincial licensing. And Abram Benedict, the community hassettlement: the Seaway claim. Thisif they work in our community, they been busy working towards that vision.$45-million claim will be going to thehave to be licensed in both provinces And, considering their recent successes,community for a ratification vote earlyof Ontario and Quebec, which is not the pandemic hasnt slowed them downin 2022. [The Dundee and Seawayalways easy. However, the Grand Chief too much.claims] are two of the big accomplish- adds, Its a pretty common experience ments we have made in the last sixin Akwesasne.Grand Chief Benedict says they haveMeanwhile, the cannabis industry has accomplished a lot over his last coupleyears, Benedict says. of terms. The thing hes most proud ofAkwesasne is a fairly largebeen a lucrative one since it was legalized is the completion of a land claim. Wecommunity, with about 8,000 on reservein October 2018. According to Statistics have settled one of our largest claims.and about 13,000 in total membership.Canada, Canadian sales of legal recrea-The Dundee claim was settled duringThe community also straddles threetional cannabis totaled $2.6 billion in my tenure as Grand Chief [and saw] aborders: Ontario, Quebec and New2020. Since its legalization, Indigenous settlement of $239 million. That was aYork. That means jurisdictional jugglingentrepreneurs across the country have significant settlement, he says.for services and programs, especiallyalso been getting into a market thats through a pandemic.often considered a grey area on First He explains the Dundee claim was aNation lands. Akwesasne has worked breach of fiduciary obligation on behalfFinding providers is challenging,towards formally overseeing the market of the federal government. It was a claimBenedict explains. If you can findin their community. Call us at 1-855-554-HEAL (4325) and liveIts just that simple - receive free andVisit Talk4Healing.com and start your support will be there to listen, any time of theconfidential support anywhere you are personal journey towards healing. day. Available in 14 Indigenous languages,across Ontario.English & French.2 /7help, support and resources forIndigenous women, by Indigenous women.24l I ssue2 2021/22C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'