KAHNAWAKE RESPONDS TO CBC STORY (Update)

7 December 2007

Mohawk exec explains policing agreements and denies Quebec friction


Last week's news originated by Canadian medium CBC that the owners of Kahnawake licensed Golden Palace online casino had paid a fine for illegal gambling was given a different perspective by a member of the Mohawk Internet Technologies board this week.

The original report revealed that following a police raid on the Montreal offices of Cyber World Group last year, that company had paid a $2 million fine. Cyber World operates Golden Palace Casino, which is licensed by and operates on servers located on Kahnawake First Nation territory. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission contends that it is exempt from the Canadian Criminal Code which gives sole authority to issue gambling licenses to the Canadian provinces. This claim is in terms of the native rights provisions enshrined in article 35 of the Constitution.

This week MIT exec Chuck Barnett reassured the many online gambling operators using the Kahnawake facilities that there is no need for concern following the actions of the Quebec provincial authorities against CyberWorld.

"Actually, as these events have little, if anything to do with the jurisdiction of the Mohawks of Kahnawake, it has not been an issue for us," Barnett said. "My understanding is that these offices were located well into the City of Ville St. Laurent, a borough of Montreal. And it was the offices of CyberWorld Group (CWG) that were raided. This entity is not licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission."

Barnett went on to describe the relationship between Kahnwake and Quebec province (the enclave is a short drive out of Montreal) as good and 'productive'.

"Kahnawake has a recognized policing agreement with the Quebec Minister of Security which was established in 1999 and incorporates a standard for policing protocols between the Kahnawake Police Force and those of the neighboring communities," he said.

"The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has a very productive relationship with the Government of Quebec, and each regularly communicate and meet to discuss matters of mutual concern and interest. A number of examples may be found in the Ten Administrative Agreements entered into between Kahnawake and Quebec in 1999 which continue to be maintained and respected to this very day.

"Unfortunately, this does not make for very exciting or dramatic storytelling and is an item which seems to be "misplaced" at press time in some of the Quebec media."

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