Key Issue of Concern #1
Moving Ahead with the Administration Code

Since the election there has been a fair amount of discussion in our community about whether or not the Administration Code introduced by the last Council should be implemented. Your elected Council is determined to move ahead with the Administration Code, which we believe is a key policy for Wahta to maintain good governance and accountability. However, at the same time, we also have stated our responsibility to ensure that the Code serves all community members’ best interests. To achieve both ends, Council sought the advice of an independent expert in community development, as well as a legal opinion. These reviews identified a number of significant issues in the current Administration Code – concerns that must be carefully considered and addressed by our community to protect the rights and well being of all Wahta Mohawks today and tomorrow.

This is a conversation we need to have, and to get it started Council is posting here the Executive Summary of the legal review of the Administration Code and will be sharing weekly messages about key areas of concern on this site.

A copy of the Administration Code containing the lawyer’s notes describing the legal areas of concern will be mailed to you shortly. There will be a General meeting held on November 22, 2014 from 9:00 – 2:00 p.m. to begin the discussion directly with the community.

Legal and community development experts found dozens of issues with the current language in the proposed Administration Code, which could have harmful implications for all Wahta Mohawks.

EXCESSIVE MEMBER OBLIGATIONS.

The proposed Code imposes responsibilities on all members of the Wahta Mohawks, some of which are inconsistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and are onerous and unrealistic. Following are just a few of the requirements in the proposed Code that every member must follow or face punishment and even loss of membership:

• Voting in all elections and referendums

• Choosing the “best” representatives for the community

• Attendance at Council and community meetings

• “Strengthening” traditional knowledge, customs and language