Self-proclaimed Mikinak Aboriginal community a 'lie,' Mohawk chief says

A Montreal-area Mohawk council saysa self-proclaimed Aboriginal communityis "nothing but lies,"and is accusing its members of fraud.

The Mikinak community first emerged in January 2016, according to their website.

The community, based in Quebec'sMontrgie region, says its name means "turtle" in the Algonquin language.

But the Mohawk Council ofKahnawake, on Montreal's south shore, says the community is nothing but a ruse to avoid paying taxes.

"They're misleading.They're fraudulent. They're trying to claim native status," Chief Robert Patton, of the Kahnawake Mohawk Council, told CBC News.

"They're trying to use a status card to defraud a store or whatever it is, for taxation rate."

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Status certificates

Patton is referring to the membership cards that aredistributed to approved members of the new community.

The photo ID cardslook similarto government-issued Indian status cards they have a Canadian flag, a signature and even a barcode.

One notable difference: government-issued cards are labelled "certificate of Indian status," while the Mikinak membership card says "certificate of Aboriginal status."

Even if the cardslook similar,Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)says only cards issued by the federal governmentpermit the cardholder to be exempt from taxes.

"While these cards convey membership to an organization, they do not convey Indian Status, nor do they confer rights and benefits linked explicitly to registered Indians," the INAC said in a statement to CBC News.

"The Mikinak Aboriginal community is not a band recognized under the Indian Act," it stated.

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Kahnawake Grand Chief to file complaint

Grand Chief Joe Norton, with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, told CBC News heplans to file a complaintwith the RCMP.

"It's nothing but lies," he said. "They only thing they want is the benefits. They have no idea about the struggles and the things we've had to go through over the centuries."

Mikinak ChiefLise Briseboisrefused multiple requests for an interview from CBC News, both over the phone and via Facebook.

She did provide a brief outlineof what's required to become a member of the Mikinakcommunity.

"We don't give cards to everybody," she wrote in French. "You have to provide proof."

She added that members are required to undergo a DNA test or genealogical screening to show that at least one of their great grandparents was Indigenous.