Bands of Mohawk Community Kahnawake Won't Build Casino

Recently there was an interesting twist in the bricks and mortar casino world where a Mohawk community that already makes a little money on online gambling decided they did not want a real terrestrial gambling gallery.

The Mohawk community of Kahnawake which is a leading regulator of online gambling operators from around the world will not build a casino reasoning that doing so would bring social and economic harm to the community. The last vote on the issue of a brick and mortar casino was held way back in 2003 each time a no vote has been the decision. The first time the bands cast ballots on this same prospect was eighteen years ago. According to The Montreal Gazette which recorded the score at 822 in favour and 846 opposed, a close margin of only twenty four votes the closest vote yet. The balance in decision was weighted in both directions, with some band chiefs wanting the casino to bring money into the territory. Others felt the social consequences to be greater than the benefits.

The Mohawks are sold on the success of the internet with many in Kahnawake being employed in the online industry. An example of their tech savvy know how is the web site for business services the Shopkahnawake.com Which is a business directory for the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, sponsored by the Small Business Services division of Tewatohnhi’saktha, Kahnawake’s Economic Development Commission. It was developed to create an awareness of the products and services available in Kahnawake and to promote community businesses by offering easily accessible information to potential consumers and by encouraging visitors to frequent the community. It is this sort of progress that lets the community thrive with its culture intact.

The Kahnawake Economic Development Commission or KEDC was established in 1999 by legislation of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. Its vision is to build a Kahnawake economy capable of supporting a quality of life for its people, and in doing so, foster self-reliance. Its mission is to make investments in people, businesses and opportunities in Kahnawake and abroad.