Nicholas becomes Kanesatake grand chief

Kanesatake has elected a new band council that includes a record-breaking number of women joining the Mohawk community's local government.

New members hope council can now focus on reconciling internal divisions, and tackle pressing education issues.

Paul Nicholas was elected grand chief with a majority of votes in the weekend election, taking over Kanesatake's top spot from Steven Bonspille.

Nicholas received 353 of the 676 votes cast, according to unofficial results.

He beat out Clarence Simon and Veronica Montour, who earned 200 and 108 votes respectively.

Education will be a priority for the new council, especially teaching language, said newly elected council member Sheila Bonspille.

There is growing concern withinKanesatake about the future of the Mohawk language and the younger generation's desire to speak it.

"Quebec's got Bill 101 to protect the culture and everything else," she said. "We've got to protect our culture. In our education system, we have to protect our language."

Council will also focus on healing internal political divisions in the community.

Divisions over leadership and policing in Kanesatake boiled over in 2004 after repeated attempts by former grand chief James Gabriel to crack down on drugs with the support of local police.

A botched drug raid in 2004 resulted in a riot, and his house was burned to the ground. Gabriel fled Kanesatake and was eventually replaced by Bonspille, and provincial police took over public security responsibilities in the town.

It's time to move on, Sheila Bonspille said. "We have to review [leadership] and let the people speak," she said.

Steven Bonspille announced his retirement as grand chief earlier this year, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.