Latest news with #CodyDiabo
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Alliance brings border message to Washington
The Jay Treaty Border Alliance brought a narrow focus to the capital of the United States this week, demanding the country end blood quantum requirements for border-crossing rights and respect that it is up to First Nations to determine their own membership. 'The issue is other people tend to make it about an immigration issue, a border security issue. It's not about a border security issue. We're simply saying remove the blood quantum requirement from the legislation,' said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chief Cody Diabo, who was part of the delegation to Washington, DC. The Alliance exists to advocate for the recognition of border-crossing rights as guaranteed by the 1794 Jay Treaty between Great Britain and the United States, which acknowledges the prerogative of Onkwehón:we to freely traverse the colonial border. However, the US requires that the individual demonstrate they are 'at least 50 percent of the American Indian race,' whether through ministry documentation or a letter from the band along with other evidence. 'Many of the First Nations determine our memberships based more on lineage, and we don't do blood quantum anymore,' said Diabo. 'It's kind of ironic because right now First Nations people are the only ones who get judged based off their blood quantum. Everyone else from the past, whether of Asian descent, or any others, that's all been removed from US legislation except for First Nations people.' The delegation, which included officials representing Indigenous communities from both sides of the border, met with staffers working for elected Republicans and Democrats as well as Sara Perkins, who is deputy assistant secretary at the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs under the US Department of Homeland Security. While the new US administration under president Donald Trump has earned a reputation for being hostile to those it does not view as Americans, Diabo said a heightened degree of difficulty exercising Jay Treaty rights has been a couple years in the making, overlapping with the latter part of former US president Joe Biden's term. Diabo said he was optimistic that US officials were open to what the delegation had to say. He explained to them that communities like Kahnawake built skylines in the US and have a history of joining the US Armed Forces. 'I referenced my grandfather who was in the Navy, who lied about his age and signed up at 16 after Pearl Harbor was attacked, and it never seemed like a problem then, when they needed something from us,' said Diabo, who felt this message was well received. Meanwhile, he said, officials from the Department of Homeland Security signalled a desire to keep the conversation going with technical tables and that one of the department's advisors, who is Lakota, showed particular interest in ensuring the discussion doesn't get sidelined. 'Overall, there were a lot of positive things that happened. Hopefully I can report back in a couple weeks or maybe by midsummer to see what kind of progress there's been,' he said. In terms of the government on this side of the border, Diabo said it is still essential that Canada recognize the Jay Treaty as the US and Great Britain do, adding that prime minister Mark Carney's welcoming of King Charles for the throne speech should come with a willingness to acknowledge the validity the agreement, which predates Canadian Confederation. marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
20-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Kahnawake casino owners sue Mohawk council, grand chief for $220 million
Two owners of a casino in a First Nations community southwest of Montreal are suing the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake for more than $200 million. They say the council ignored their right to due process when it abruptly shut down the Magic Palace casino in March 2024, leaving them with little recourse. The closure followed a 2023 news report that alleged the RCMP were investigating an Albanian investor they suspected of using the casino to launder money for a Mexican cartel. The lawsuit alleges the council acted in bad faith by closing the casino without verifying the claims made against it. It also names as a defendant Grand Chief Cody Diabo, who was the Kahnawake chief responsible for gaming at the time, alleging he used the closure to bolster his 2024 election campaign. The decision to shutter Magic Palace was 'as unilateral and disproportionate as it was sudden,' the lawsuit says. 'Without prior notice or warning, the plaintiffs' 15-year-long operations were abruptly forced to a halt within mere hours.' Story continues below advertisement None of the allegations in the lawsuit has been tested in court. The court filing was first reported by the Eastern Door, a community-based newspaper. The two owners, Stanley Myiow and Barry Alfred, are seeking $220 million in damages, including $155 million for a planned expansion project they say has been quashed. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake declined to comment on the lawsuit. In a statement provided to the Eastern Door, the council said it would 'take all necessary steps to protect the community's assets.' The council moved to close Magic Palace in March 2024 by cancelling a royalty agreement that allowed it to operate electronic gaming devices. In a news release at the time, the council said an investigation had revealed there was an 'undisclosed beneficial owner' of the casino who received 'the majority of the benefits' from its operation. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The decision to terminate the royalty agreement with Magic Palace sends a clear message that all gaming operations must uphold the highest ethical and legal standards applicable in the territory,' the council said. The announcement came nearly six months after La Presse reported that an Albanian investor was suspected by police of using the casino to launder money for the powerful Sinaloa cartel, a Mexican drug-trafficking organization. A third-party investigation later ordered by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission found the investor was receiving 58 per cent of the casino's profits. After the casino was closed, a lawyer for the owners told the Eastern Door the investor had no pending charges and no criminal record. Story continues below advertisement Myiow and Alfred cut off their involvement with the investor after the La Presse report was published, according to the lawsuit, and agreed to co-operate with the investigation. At the time, the council issued a statement saying it was 'pleased that the owners of Magic Palace have taken swift actions' on the matter. But the owners allege the council 'remained under significant pressure to do more,' especially with an election scheduled for July 2024. They say half a dozen armed members of the local First Nations police force showed up unannounced at the casino's premises on March 25, 2024, 'ordering them shut before the patrons' bewildered looks.' The lawsuit says the gaming commission was aware of the Albanian investor's involvement in the casino from the outset, and that he was never an owner. Local laws prohibit ownership of gaming establishments by people from outside Kahnawake. Myiow and Alfred claim the Kahnawake council has 'taken every measure' to ensure the casino stays closed, and has resisted their efforts to argue their case. It claims the council's conduct 'rises to the level of bad faith or gross negligence.' The court filing describes Myiow and Alfred as 'hard-working, well-respected' members of their community, and says Magic Palace has made $12 million in royalty payments to the council to date. With a $10-million investment from the investor, the casino expanded in 2019 to include 400 electronic gaming devices, a poker room and a steak house, which together employed more than 100 people. Another planned expansion would have generated $265 million in royalties for the community by 2033, according to the lawsuit. Story continues below advertisement The owners also claim Diabo made 'profoundly damaging and false accusations' about them while he was campaigning to be grand chief, including by stating they had betrayed the community's trust. 'It was prosecution by press release, for electoral gain,' the lawsuit states. Myiow and Alfred are seeking $75,000 in punitive damages against Diabo personally. The court filing also claims that two Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chiefs hold direct financial interests in Magic Palace's main competitor, Playground, a larger casino in the community. It alleges only one of them appears to have recused himself from decisions affecting Magic Palace, despite 'serious conflict of interest concerns.'
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Kahnawake casino owners sue Mohawk council, grand chief for $220 million
MONTREAL - Two owners of a casino in a First Nations community southwest of Montreal are suing the territory's council for more than $200 million. They say the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake ignored their right to due process when it abruptly shut down the Magic Palace casino in March 2024. The closure followed a 2023 news report that alleged the RCMP were investigating an Albanian investor they suspected of using the casino to launder money for a Mexican cartel. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The lawsuit also targets Grand Chief Cody Diabo, who was the Kahnawake chief responsible for gaming at the time. It claims the Mohawk council's actions will lead to the permanent closure of the casino unless the court intervenes. The owners are seeking $220 million in damages, including $155 million for an expansion project they say has been quashed. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake declined to comment on the lawsuit. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kahnawake casino owners sue Mohawk council, grand chief for $220 million
MONTREAL – Two owners of a casino in a First Nations community southwest of Montreal are suing the territory's council for more than $200 million. They say the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake ignored their right to due process when it abruptly shut down the Magic Palace casino in March 2024. The closure followed a 2023 news report that alleged the RCMP were investigating an Albanian investor they suspected of using the casino to launder money for a Mexican cartel. The lawsuit also targets Grand Chief Cody Diabo, who was the Kahnawake chief responsible for gaming at the time. It claims the Mohawk council's actions will lead to the permanent closure of the casino unless the court intervenes. The owners are seeking $220 million in damages, including $155 million for an expansion project they say has been quashed. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake declined to comment on the lawsuit. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Kahnawake casino owners sue Mohawk council and grand chief for $220 million
Two owners of a casino in a First Nations community southwest of Montreal are suing the territory's council for more than $200 million. They say the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake ignored their right to due process when it abruptly shut down the Magic Palace casino in March 2024. The closure followed a 2023 news report that alleged the RCMP were investigating an Albanian investor they suspected of using the casino to launder money for a Mexican cartel. The lawsuit also targets Grand Chief Cody Diabo, who was the Kahnawake chief responsible for gaming at the time. It claims the Mohawk council's actions will lead to the permanent closure of the casino unless the court intervenes. The owners are seeking $220 million in damages, including $155 million for an expansion project they say has been quashed. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake declined to comment on the lawsuit.
