Referendum Information
Under the Referendum regulations the votes for the Wahta Mohawks Referendum held on September 20 2025 did not meet the minimum participation required.
Out of 631 eligible voters, only 171 cast ballots (27% turnout), far below the 317 (50% + 1) needed for the referendum to be considered valid under Section 2.3.
Even though the support levels for each question were strong the low turnout means the results cannot be recognized.
Question 1: 159 Yes (91%) / 16 No (9%)
Question 2: 157 Yes (89%) / 20 No (11%)
Question 3: 150 Yes (85%) / 27 No (15%)
To pass in the future, not only must at least 317 members vote, but at least 238 of those must vote “Yes” (75%) under Section 2.4.
These results show that while community support is high among those who did vote, much stronger voter participation and engagement will be critical if another referendum is held. Chief and Council will be deciding on next steps, an announcement will be made in the upcoming newsletter as well as on this page.
Contacts
Primary Referendum Officer: Matthew Commandant (705) 762-2354 ext. 275
matthew.commandant@wahtamohawks.ca
Assistant Referendum Officer: Colleen Mendes (705) 762-2354 ext. 205
colleen.mendes@wahtamohawks.ca
If you need to update your mailing address, please contact Karen Sahanatien
(705) 762-2354 ext. 222 karen.sahanatien@wahtamohawks.ca
Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code Update
Chief and Council are moving forward with an important initiative to update the Wahta Mohawks Citizenship Code, and your participation is an essential part of the process.
Over the past several years, the community has taken part in many conversations, consultations, and legal reviews focused on how our Citizenship policies affect both current and future generations. Through these discussions, one message has come through clearly, our current rules no longer reflect who we are today or the direction we want to take as a Nation.
This fall, all citizens will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on three proposed changes to the Citizenship Code. These proposed updates reflect years of input and are focused on making our approach to citizenship more inclusive, fair, and considerate of the next seven generations.
- Replacing the 25 % quantum rule with a lineage-based system where one parent must be a Wahta Mohawk member.
- Removing the enfranchisement limitations within the current code that no longer reflect who we are as a community.
- Creating a separate Residency Code to clarify community living expectations, support members, renters, staff, and future planning. This also ensures safety and fairness for all community residents.
You will receive detailed materials outlining the voting procedures including a mail in voting ballot as well as further information on why these changes are important and upcoming opportunities to take part in community discussions.
Together, we can build a Citizenship Code that better represents who we are and where we want to go as Wahta Mohawk people.
For your reference, there is a link below to the current membership code and the Referendum Regulations. Please review Sections 5, 7, and 11, of the membership code which are the focus of the proposed changes. You will also find the referendum questions included below.
Referendum Questions
In consideration of these Citizenship Code challenges, the following three Referendum questions will be presented to the community:
Question 1. Do you agree to change the Citizenship entitlement requirements by removing blood quantum and using a lineage-based approach (one parent as a member) instead?
Question 2. Do you agree to eliminate enfranchisement from the Citizenship Code?
Question 3. Do you agree to remove the Residence Section 11 from the Citizenship Code and allow for a separate Residency Code to be created?
Question 1 - Replacing Blood Quantum
Current Issue – Citizenship approval requires 25% Mohawk blood quantum. Many descendants are excluded despite strong family ties. This distinction can be considered legally discriminatory and may not comply with Human Rights legislation or equality provisions under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Proposed Change Section 5 Entitlement – Remove the blood quantum requirement for entitlement and approve Citizenship based on having one biological or adopted parent who is entitled to Citizenship.
Proposed Change Section 6 Transfer – Remove the blood quantum requirement for transfers and approve any Indian who becomes the spouse of a Citizen.
Why it Matters – This aligns with our continued inherent right to define our own Citizenship and allows a more inclusive Citizenship code for future generations.
Question 2 - Removing Enfranchisement
Current Issue – People who gave up Indian Act Status under old Indian Act provisions are excluded and not entitled to Citizenship. This also affects the children of enfranchised parents(s).
Proposed Change Section 5 Entitlement: Remove Section 5(5) which states:
That person, whose mother is entitled to citizenship in accordance with subsection (1), but was enfranchised under the terms of the Indian Act upon marriage to a non-Indian and the applicant has 25% Mohawk blood quantum.
Proposed Change Section 5 Entitlement: Remove Section 5(6) which states:
Descendants of persons who enfranchised by application who have 25% Mohawk blood quantum.
Proposed Change Section 7 Persons Not Entitled to Citizenship:
Remove Section 7(3) which states: Any person who voluntarily enfranchised under the provisions of the Indian Act for any reason.
Why it Matters – This acknowledges past injustices and will restore fairness and inclusion.
Question 3 - Create a Separate Residency Code
Current Issue – Residency rules in the 2014 Citizenship Code are vague and not enforceable. There is confusion between Citizenship and Residency
Proposed Change Section 11 – Remove Residence Section 11 from the Citizenship Code. This will enable the development of a clear and enforceable Residency Code through community consultation.
Why it Matters – A Resident Code will help to support members, renters, staff, and future planning. This also ensures safety and fairness for all community residents.
Voting Summary
As of June 2025, there are 631 Eligible Voters.
As per the Referendum Regulations Section 2.3 and Section 2.4 the following must apply:
Section 2.3 states that a minimum of 317 (50% + 1 of eligible voters) votes must be cast for the vote to be recognized as valid.
Section 2.4 states that 75% or 238 (75% of 317) votes must vote YES in order for any of the Referendum questions to pass.
These thresholds are significant and reaching them will not be easy without strong community engagement and voter participation. Every vote truly matters, and success depends on all citizens voting and having your say.
Contacts
Primary Referendum Officer: Matthew Commandant (705) 762-2354 ext. 275
matthew.commandant@wahtamohawks.ca
Assistant Referendum Officer: Colleen Mendes (705) 762-2354 ext. 205
colleen.mendes@wahtamohawks.ca
If you need to update your mailing address, please contact Karen Sahanatien
(705) 762-2354 ext. 222 karen.sahanatien@wahtamohawks.ca
Documents
Meetings to Date:
Feb 24, 2024 – General Meeting Membership Presentation provided by Falls Law
October 5, 2024 – General Meeting – Membership Presentation provided by Council
May 3, 2025 – General Meeting – Referendum Presentation by Falls Law
June 18, 2025 – MCR approved and signed
July 2025 – Official Newsletter Referendum Notice
July 15, 2025 – Full Referendum Information mailout to all members.
July 21, 2025 – Referendum website page with full referendum details MCR, codes etc.
July 2025 – Mail in Ballot Package sent to all members
August 2025 – Full Newsletter Referendum details and website announcement
August 23, 2025 – FAQ Referendum Meeting
Sept 2025 – Additional mail out reminders, newsletter information and voting day.