'It's a historical moment. It's the first in Canada,' says Joyce King, director of justice in Akwesasne. The Mohawk band council of Akwesasne has introduced what is considered the first Indigenous legal system in Canada outside a federal framework.

While First Nations band councils have been passing and enforcing legislation on reserves across the country for decades, those bylaws are either tied to the Indian Act or within a self-governance agreement with the federal government.

What's special about the new court law passed by the council of Akwesasne — a reserve that straddles the Quebec, Ontario and New York state borders — is that it was drafted by the community and independently of Ottawa.

"We did it and our community is behind us,'' said Joyce King, director of justice in Akwesasne. "It's a historical moment. It's the first in Canada.''

Akwesasne's council decided to mix aspects of Canada's justice system with Mohawk values and principles such as considering the talents of the offending party and using them to benefit the community.

For example, if someone spraypaints graffiti on a school wall and the offender is a great lacrosse player, the law stipulates the person can be ordered to teach students how to play the sport.

"It's not just looking at penalizing,'' said Bonnie Cole, Akwesasne's sole permanent prosecutor. "That's old thinking — that's outside thinking.

"This law looks at the person, what offence they committed and how they can restore balance between the (offender), the victim, and the community as well.''

Women also play a big role: the director, public prosecutor and the territory's two justices are women.

There are no jail terms, with sanctions based on the concept of restorative justice and the objective of helping "restore relationships and harmony in the community.''

Justices do not need a law degree but must be from a First Nation and meet a series of other requirements including having "good character, credibility and reputation in their community.''

Candidates, who are chosen by a review commission independent of the band council, receive 10 weeks of training by a law firm, which evaluates them and makes recommendations to council.

Prosecutors are also not required to have a law degree but must have "related post-secondary education or work experience in the field of advocacy.''

Those accused of breaking Akwesasne law are allowed to bring advocates to court to speak on their behalf.

"At times you'll find that First Nations people don't say a lot and don't try to defend themselves,'' King said.

Cole said "a lot of people don't like talking about things; they don't want everyone to know about (what happened). This is where the advocate comes in.''

King said the new court law is also a teaching tool, offering citizens lessons on how Mohawks have historically handled disputes.

"It kind of gives people a clear picture of how things used to be,'' she said.

Responses to "Akwesasne Mohawks create first court in Canada for and by Indigenous people"

  1. Unknown says:

    That is great news congratulations

    Rachel French

  2. Unknown says:

    As a member of our community justice, this is what I strive to see happen. I would like to recrrec any correspondence as to beginning this process.,

  3. Anonymous says:


  4. Anonymous says:

    I hope this works. But I can see this going horribly wrong and becoming an extremely corrupt system, just as a lot of the chiefs have become.

  5. Blessings, Blessings!! 💛

  6. Unknown says:

    Awesome!!! Congrats! I am Native Mohawk and to see this just made my day, WOW! :)

  7. Wonderful news. I like the respect that seems to be built in to the decision making process. Enlightenment at last. Keep going forward.

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