Chief and Council Information
Past Elections
Due to the unfortunate passing of long time respected Chief and member of Council Blaine Commandant as per the enacted Election Regulation a by-election was held on June 28, 2025. The results are as follows:
2023 Election for Chief and Council. The results are as follows:
Election-Regulation-Enacted-October-2019
Citizenship Overview
Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code
The Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code is a community-developed law that outlines who is recognized as a citizen of Wahta Mohawks. It was created under our inherent right to define our own membership, separate from the Indian Act. The purpose of the Code is to protect the cultural and political integrity of Wahta Mohawks, uphold our sovereignty, and provide a clear structure for membership and its responsibilities.
The Code includes:
Eligibility (Entitlement): Defines who can become a citizen, based on criteria such as parentage, blood quantum, adoption (legal or customary), and transfers through marriage.
Application Process: All citizenship applications go through a Registrar appointed by Council, who maintains the Citizenship Roll and reviews applications.
Transfers: Allows certain individuals—such as spouses or Mohawks from other communities—to apply for citizenship with Council’s consent.
Loss of Citizenship: Outlines how citizenship can be lost, including voluntary renouncement, false claims, or acquiring citizenship in another First Nation.
Appeals: Provides a process for individuals to appeal decisions made by the Registrar.
Residence: Describes who has the right to live in the community and under what conditions non-citizens may be permitted to reside.
Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code Changes
Under the current Code, citizenship is generally based on having 25% Mohawk blood quantum, with some exceptions for adoption and transfers. It also includes rules that exclude individuals who were enfranchised under the Indian Act or whose parent was. Over time, these rules have become outdated and in some cases unfair by excluding descendants with strong family ties and community connection simply due to blood quantum or outdated policies.
After years of community consultation and legal review, Chief and Council are moving forward with a referendum to update the Citizenship Code. The proposed changes include:
- Replacing the 25% blood quantum rule with a lineage-based system that requires one biological or adopted parent to be a Wahta citizen
- Removing enfranchisement exclusions, which historically prevented certain descendants from becoming members
- Separating residency rules from the Citizenship Code to create a clear and enforceable Residency Code through further community consultation
These changes aim to make our Citizenship Code more inclusive, fair, and future focused for the next seven generations, while still rooted in our identity and values as Wahta Mohawks.
All citizens will receive a voting package with a mail-in ballot and more information on the proposed changes. Your voice matters help shape the future of our Nation by participating in the vote.
Please visit our Referendum Page for More Information
Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code – February 2014
Citizenship Application
Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Application
Click here to contact Membership Registrar Karen Sahanatien for a membership application
Referendum
Members of Council
If you have a question or would like to reach out to a Council member, feel free to connect by email:
Chief Philip Franks
philip.franks@wahtamohawkscouncil.ca
Councillor Ken DeCaire
ken.decaire@wahtamohawkscouncil.ca
Councillor Lorie Fenton-Strength
lorie.fenton-strength@wahtamohawkscouncil.ca
Councillor Leah Stock
leah.stock@wahtamohawkscouncil.ca
Councillor Amy Davidson
amy.davidson@wahtamohawkscouncil.ca
Executive Assistant
In my three main roles at Wahta Mohawks, I serve as the Council Executive Assistant, HR Assistant, and Librarian, helping the organization run smoothly, managing staff matters, and making sure the community is kept informed on Council matters.’
As Council Executive Assistant, I provide support to Chief & Council, and the Senior Administrator. My duties include getting meeting agendas ready, tracking decisions, and preparing meeting minutes to ensure Chief and Council have the information they need to serve the community.
For my role as HR Assistant, I help with all things related to our employees. This includes recruitment, payroll and pension and benefits administration. I also assist with policy creation and job descriptions to create a good and fair place to work for everyone.
As Librarian, I’m in charge of keeping the library tidy and a nice place to learn. My main goal is to make sure community members can easily find resources and have a good place to learn and connect.
In all these areas, I work to keep things running well, support our staff, and help the community get information and resources, all to meet Wahta Mohawks’ goals.
Sam Walker
Ronwaienawá:se ne Ratitsénhaiens
Council Executive Assistant, Librarian, & HR Assistant
(705) 762-2354 ext. 272
samantha.walker@wahtamohawks.ca