Current Council

Chief

• R. Donald Maracle

Councillors

• Carl "Ted" Maracle
• Josh Hill
• Stacia Loft
• Chris Maracle

Government history

From the start, the government of the Mohawk community at the Bay of Quinte consisted of a council of chiefs selected following Haudenosaunee democratic tradition. When the Mohawks first came to the Bay of Quinte, they were led by Captain John Deserontyon, and he was then the first leader of the community. Between the time of the landing in 1784 and Captain John's death in 1811, the government consisted of so-called "community chiefs," "war chiefs," and Captain John himself, who was considered the "headman." All functions of government went through Captain John, and as such the finer points of the government structure are unclear, for instance how many chiefs made up the council.^[27]

Upon Captain John's death in 1811, there is evidence from external correspondence with other governments that six chiefs may have led the community in the early 1800s. Extant documents from the 1820s and 1830s include signatures from groups of four chiefs, five chiefs, and six chiefs. In 1835, with the conversion of over 60 community members to Methodism and their subsequent exodus to the Grand River, the number of chiefs on the Quinte Mohawk council was reduced by two, resulting in a council size of four, referred to as "the old chiefs," Brant Brant, Powles Claus, Joseph Pinn, and one other.^[27][28]

In 1843, owing to frustration among the community with how the old chiefs were organizing things, as well as complaints of their alcoholism and the poor decision they had made, the community got together to change the government structure. From this point on, the government was composed of four chiefs and four councilmen, who managed administrative needs such as finances and letter-writing, while the chiefs led the community more broadly. A little while after this, the structure was changed again, so that government consisted of two chiefs and two councilmen, who were chosen by "their equals" (i.e. other "warriors"), as well as a secretary and a treasurer. Trish Rae of Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na refers to this six-person council as the "managing council," and notes that the four old chiefs remained important members of the community, responsible for signing documents, but only two sat on this managing council.^[27]

According to research done by Trish Rae, from the 1840s and increasingly through the 1860s, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs played a more active role in nominating candidates to the managing council, which Rae characterizes as meddling. In 1858, Superintendent Thomas Gummersall Anderson^[29] named two men as councillors, and the community chose three other men to be on council—resulting in a council of five. The only one of the "old chiefs" on this 1858 council was Powles Claus. The following year, Visiting Superintendent W. R. Bartlett again named two men to council (Powles Claus and Thomas Claus), while three men were elected by the community (Seth W. Hill, John Loft, and William Maracle). Ultimately, the Superintendent called an end to widespread community-internal elections between 1860 and 1870, claiming that "they're a great deal of trouble, and much ill feeling was caused by the intemperance and excitement." Seth W. Hill was removed from council for intemperance in 1860, and replaced at an election by William J. W. Hill. In 1863, John Loft was dismissed from council also due to intemperance, but was not replaced, leaving a council of four. In 1866, the last remaining of the four "old chiefs" Powles Claus died, reducing the council further to three. Historical evidence indicates that the community had selected Seth Powless to replace the old chief, but he was a controversial figure and not accepted by the whole community—some thought he had "made himself" a chief, though historical evidence is inconclusive.^[27]

By December 1868, there were three men in the community who could still claim the title of "old chief" (i.e. a chief following the traditional method of selection), Chiefs Thomas Green, Joseph Penn, and Seth Powless. Fearing that the traditional form of governance they represented would be upset by upcoming legislation (the Gradual Enfranchisement Act of 1869 would be the first official imposition of a government structure by Canada on indigenous governments), the three wrote a letter to an Indian Affairs official to implore them to see the value in their traditional ways of governance. In May 1869, the old chiefs wrote another letter alongside others in the community asking to be exempted from the upcoming legislation. The Gradual Enfranchisement Act, passed on June 22, 1869, instituted official band council elections under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Ministry for Indian Affairs. Under the 1869 act, councils were elected by men aged 21 years and older, with one chief and two "secondary chiefs" per 200 people in the community. The term of office under the act was 3 years, though the legislation also allowed "life chiefs" that were in power when the legislation was enacted to remain in their role until death, resignation, or removal by the Governor-General.^[27]

In February 1870, Superintendent Bartlett finally offered to name somebody to replace the late Powles Claus, as long as the community elected somebody to replace the late John Loft. However, this never took place. Instead, in October 1870, the first election under the new federal legislation took place. Seven men were elected following the Gradual Enfranchisement Act.

Around this same time, a group of around 200 who did not want to take part in the legislated system gathered to form a traditional council, following the old ways. This group had help from eighteen chiefs from Grand River, and they reported the creation of this traditional council to the Secretary of State. The chiefs named to this council were Chiefs Thomas Green, Joseph Penn, Seth Powless, Cornelius Maracle (unclear whether this is the same man as on the elected council, possibly Turtle clan), James Brant (likely Bear clan), David Powless (likely Wolf clan), John Brant, Simon Hill (likely Bear clan), and Brant Powless (likely the brother of Seth). Critics of this traditional council wrote to the Secretary of State to warn him about what they characterized as a power-grab by Seth Powless, backed by "pagan" "foreigners," and entreating the protection of the government as Christians.^[27]

On October 15, 1889, there was again a selection of chiefs in the traditional way. The chief titles were filled as follows:^{[lower-alpha 1]}

• Turtle clan titles:
  • Tehkarihoken - Joseph I. Brant
  • Ayonwatha - vacant
  • Sadekariwadeh - vacant
• Wolf clan titles:
  • Sahrehowaneh - Charles B. Brant
  • Deyonhehgiveh - Jeremiah Hill
  • Orenrehgowah - vacant
• Bear clan titles:
  • Dehharagereneh - James B. Brant
  • Rastawehserondah - David J. Powless
  • Sosskoharowaneh - Peter John

This selection was once again done with help from people from Six Nations, and in consultation with women in the community, including Katherine Brant (likely the mother of Joseph I. Brant), Lina Brant, Lucy Sero, Margaret Jo Brant, Cecilia Ann Brant (mother of Jeremiah Hill), Rachel Maracle, and Mary John (sister of Peter John), whose names are listed at the bottom of the declaration affirming the above chiefs. Though many members of the community supported a return to a traditional council, the government of Canada did not allow it.^[27]

In 1915, supporters of Thunder Water, a man who was interested in the education of indigenous people, the improvement of women's rights, and a traditional form of governance, ran for council. His supporters were elected, which greatly displeased the Indian Agent, prompting him to write letters complaining about them.^[27]

On September 21, 1916, there was another installation of traditional chiefs:

• Turtle clan titles:
  • Tehkarihoken - Will Green (substitutes: R. J. Barnhart, Fred Sero)
  • Ayonwatha - J. J. Brant (substitute: John W. Maracle)
  • Sadekariwadeh - William M. Doreen (substitute: Herbie S. Brant)
• Wolf clan titles:
  • Sahrehowaneh - William J. Sero (substitute: Andrew Sero)
  • Deyonhehgiveh - Abe Hill (substitute: Peter Doreen)
  • Orenrehgowah - Jacob Maracle (substitute: Joe Sero)
• Bear clan titles:
  • Dehharagereneh - Solomon J. Brant (substitute: John J. Smart)
  • Rastawehserondah - George Hill (substitutes: Johnson Lewis, J. Sero)
  • Sosskoharowaneh - P. Buck (substitute: John A. Maracle)

The women who certified this installation included Mrs. K. Hill (most likely Katherine Hill, mother of George Hill), S. B. (possibly a relative of Solomon Brant), and Mrs. Jane D. (most likely Jane Doreen, mother of William Doreen).^[27]

In December 1918, the elected council composed of Thunder Water supporters passed a motion abolishing elections, announcing a return to a life chief system. This was rejected by the government of Canada, and the election was to go forward in 1918. Only pro-election candidates were nominated for election, but since that led to only five men being nominated, the nominees were acclaimed into their council positions with no election. In January 1919, the Canadian government wrote a memorandum explaining why they wouldn't allow a return to the hereditary system, explaining that firstly, while the Six Nations and Oneida Nation of the Thames did still operate under the traditional system, they would be brought under the Indian Act system eventually (and they were, in 1924); secondly, the Canadian government felt the traditional system was cumbersome and antiquated, and "includes selection of chiefs by old women in their dotage."^[27]

Into January 1919, despite the appointment of a new elected council headed by Josiah Hill, the "Thunder Water council" continued to meet and enact resolutions. They locked the council house doors to what they referred to as the "appointed elected council," and warned the Indian Agent G. M. Campbell that "he is not a governor or ruler of this band of Indians on Tyendinaga Reserve, only a servant to the said band of Indians." Finally, in February 1919 the locks were broken. On the 4th of that month, a general council meeting with the community was held, and the supporters of the Thunder Water council passed a motion empowering Chief Joseph J. Brant to pursue legal action against the Agent-appointed council. Another motion was passed to seek deeds and treaties from Ottawa, including the "Haldimand Deed," "the constitution of the proclamation of Sir William Johnson," and the "Gunshot Treaty" and "other treaties of the Six Nations Indians," as well as to have all expenses paid by the Department for Indian Affairs.^[27]

In April 1919, there was another installation of traditional chiefs. The Minister of the Interior was notified of this installation, and advised that there would be no more elections at the Bay of Quinte. The men installed with chief titles were Joseph J. Brant, Wellington Green, Jacob Maracle, Cornelius J. Maracle, William J. Sero, Abram L. Maracle, William Doreen, George Hill, and Solomon J. Brant. The substitutes were James M. Barnhart, Fred Sero, Ambrose Claus, Jacob Maracle, John W. Maracle, Andrew Sero, Johnson Louis, John Sero, and John J. Smart. The recording secretary was Solomon J. Wright. This petition to the Ministry of Indian Affairs included the names of nearly four hundred community members. And yet, elections under the Indian Act system continued. Evidence of continued frustration by Indian Agents indicates that supporters of traditional councils continued to run for and get elected to the elected council.^[27]

Elected councils have continued to operate following the Indian Act throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Electoral history

List of Tyendinaga Mohawk Councils (1700s-present)

This section is missing information about councillors who were on the council between 1993 and 2011. (March 2021)

More information Date of selection, Chiefs ...

Date of selection	Chiefs		Notes	Ref
Before 1784	John Deserontyon			[33]
1813	Old John Green, Joseph Smart Sr.		These chiefs may not have been selected in 1813, but they are attested as being chiefs in that year.	[27]
1835	Jacob Green		By 1835, Old John Green had been removed as chief, following the traditional method of deposition.[34][27]	[33]
1836	Brant Brant, Powles Claus, Joseph Smart, Joseph Pinn, John Hill		These five men wrote a letter to Sir Francis Bond Head in June 1836 in which they are identified as the chiefs. Brant, Claus, and Pinn, are then known to have sworn an oath as chiefs in April 1837.	[28][33][35]
Unknown	Jacob Kense			[33]
Date of selection	Chief	Councillors	Notes	Ref
1858	Powles Claus, one other selected by Superintendent Anderson	Three elected by the community	This system, whereby two chiefs were selected by the Visiting Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and three councillors were elected by the community, was allegedly agreed upon in 1848.	[27]
1859	Powles Claus, Thomas Claus	Seth W. Hill, John Loft, Wiliam Maracle	As in 1858, the chiefs were named by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, W. R. Bartlett, while the councillors were elected by the community Seth W. Hill was removed from council in 1860 for intemperance and replaced by William J. W. Hill in an election. John Loft was removed in 1863 for the same reason, but was not replaced. Powles Claus died in 1866 and was not replaced on council, though many in the community wanted Seth Powless to replace him.	[27]
October 1870	Sampson Green "Annosothkah", Archibald Culbertson, William J. W. Hill, John Loft, Seth W. Hill, Cornelius Maricle, John Claus		This was the first council elected in the Territory by status Indian men over the age of 21 under the Gradual Enfranchisement Act of 1869. The term of office under that Act was 3 years, though the legislation also allowed "life chiefs" that were in power when the legislation was enacted to remain in their role until death, resignation, or removal by the Governor-General. Sampson Green died on January 27, 1923; Archibald Culbertson died in 1892, but had been removed from council in 1887; William J. W. Hill died on December 24, 1910; John Loft died in 1878; Seth W. Hill died on August 27, 1884; Cornelius Maracle died on May 28, 1920; John Claus died on February 25, 1898.	[36]
Before 1873	Thomas Green			[33]
July 14, 1874	Sampson Green	Archibald Culbertson Solomon Loft John Claus William Green Jacob B. Brant Charles Maracle		[33]
October 1876		William Green Solomon Loft Joshua Brant Cornelius Maracle Jacob Brant William Powless Archibald Culbertson	Archibald Culbertson was deposed on July 19, 1887, for "intemperance". This was the first council elected under the Indian Act, enacted April 1876.	[33][36]
1888	Jacob B. Brant	Isaac Powless John P. Brant Solomon Loft Andrew Maracle	In 1889, many members of the community supported the restoration of a council following the traditional way, but this was rejected by the government of Canada.	[33]
November 25, 1891		Solomon Loft John P. Brant Joseph I. Brant Abram P. Brant	Abram P. Brant was deposed in 1893, replaced by Andrew Maracle in a by-election on June 6, 1893. Andrew Maracle resigned on January 19, 1894.	[33]
December 26, 1894	Sampson Green	Stephen Maracle Solomon Loft William Powless Francis Claus	Isaac Powless was added to the council in a by-election in March 1894. Solomon Loft resigned on December 28, 1896.	[33]
December 22, 1897	Daniel H. Maracle	Sampson Green Solomon Loft Stephen Maracle Andrew Maracle		[33]
December 27, 1901	Andrew Maracle	Sampson Green Daniel H. Maracle James K. Hill Dow Claus		[33]
December 30, 1903	Sampson Green	Daniel H. Maracle Josiah W. Brant Joseph S. Brant Andrew T. C. Maracle		[33]
December 27, 1906	Dr. Acland Oronhyatekha	Joseph W. Brant Daniel H. Maracle Andrew T. C. Maracle Thomas Hill Sampson Green	Dr. Acland Oronhyatekha (son of the more well-known Dr. Oronhyatekha) died on July 7, 1907, and Joseph J. Hill was elected Chief Councillor in a July 26, 1907 by-election.	[33]
December 29, 1909	Thomas Hill	Daniel H. Maracle Joseph J. Hill William Green Sr. David J. Brant	David J. Brant was deposed on July 30, 1912	[33]
December 24, 1912	Josiah W. Brant	Walter A. Brant Albert Maracle Isaac W. Green John A. Loft	Walter A. Brant died in 1914, and was replaced by Herman Claus in an October 29, 1914 by-election.	[33]
December 28, 1915	Isaac Claus	William Sero George Hill Jacob M. Barnhart John M. Maracle	Some sources refer to the John Maracle of this council as John A. Maracle. Isaac Claus, William Sero, and John Maracle were likely Wolf clan, George Hill Bear clan, and Jacob M. Barnhart Turtle clan. This council tried to return the governance system of the Nation to the traditional life chief system, but was prevented by the Canadian government. This council kept meeting after the following council was appointed, locking the council house doors to them.	[33][27]
December 20, 1918	Josiah W. Brant	Stephen Maracle William John Harry M. Hill John Walker	This council was composed of the only men who were nominated, and therefore the Canadian government saw no need for an election. The previous council locked this council out of the council house for a time, and continued to meet and pass motions without regard for this council, which they did not see as legitimate.	[33][27]
December 15, 1921	John W. Maracle	Peter Joe Brant William J. Sero Nelson S. Maracle Wellington Green		[33]
December 23, 1924	Peter Joe Brant	John W. Maracle George Hill David H. Barnhart Herman Claus		[33]
December 28, 1927	Stephen Maracle	Francis John David H. Barnhart Herman Claus Thomas Hill		[33]
December 16, 1930	David H. Barnhart	Peter Joe Brant Clarence Brant Jerry Brant Andrew T. C. Maracle		[33]
December 20, 1933	Francis John	Herbert Brant Harry Hill Andrew T. C. Maracle Theodore Maracle		[33]
December 21, 1936	Clinton Maracle	Harry M. Hill Herbert J. Brant Frank Claus David J. Barnhardt		[33]
December 21, 1939	Frank Claus	Harry M. Hill Francis John James C. Brant Herbert J. Brant	Herbert J. Brant and Chief Frank Claus were deposed in 1940, and replaced by John A. Brant and Harry M. Hill, respectively, in a November 28, 1940 by-election	[33]
	Harry M. Hill
April 1941	John A. Brant	Abel Green Harry M. Hill Francis John James Brant		[33]
January 1, 1942	Clifford Maracle	John C. Francis Harry M. Hill Dan H. Mara Nelson S. Maracle		[33]
January 1, 1945	Nelson Green	Amos Brant Solomon J. Brant Nelson S. Maracle Norway Maracle		[33]
January 1, 1948		Elliot Brant Clarence Brant Gerald Brant Amos Brant	Elliot Brant died in 1950 and was replaced by Robert Melville Hill in a May 26, 1950 by-election	[33]
December 21, 1951	Robert Melville Hill	Francis John Clifford Maracle Gerald Brant Nelson Green	The Indian Act saw major revisions in 1951, including allowing status women to vote in band elections, and reducing the term of office from three years to two. Nelson Green is the son of the earlier councillor Wellington Green, who was installed in a traditional council in 1919.	[33][27]
December 18, 1953	Nelson Green	Carl Edward Brant Mark Hill William I. Hill Albert A. Maracle		[33]
December 19, 1955	William Isaac Hill	Albert A. Maracle Reginald Scero Clifford Maracle Francis John		[33]
December 16, 1957		Bennett Brant Cedrick Maracle George Maracle Reginald Scero		[33]
December 14, 1959	Robert Melville Hill	Albert A. Maracle Arnold J. Brant John R. Brant Cedrick Maracle		[33]
December 15, 1961		John R. Brant Albert A. Maracle George H. Maracle Victor Brant		[33]
December 14, 1963	John R. Brant	Arnold J. Brant Charles Maracle Franklin J. Green Victor Brant		[33]
December 11, 1965		Carl D. Brant Franklin Green Earl Hill Ross Brant	Ross Brant resigned October 20, 1967.	[33]
December 16, 1967	Earl Hill	Carl D. Brant Nelson Green Audrey Maracle Charles Maracle		[33]
December 13, 1969		Dr. Clare Brant Carl D. Brant Willard Hill Garnet Maracle		[33]
December 18, 1971		Dr. Clare Brant Carl D. Brant Willard Hill William J. Brant		[33]
December 8, 1973	William J. Brant	Charles D. Brant Charles Maracle Elwood Brant Clell Maracle		[33]
December 6, 1975		Donald J. Brant Charles Maracle Elwood Brant Roger Brant		[33]
December 3, 1977	Donald R. Brant	Audrey Brant Peter Green Richard Brant Elwood J. Brant		[33]
December 8, 1979	Earl Hill	Audrey Brant Roger Brant R. Donald Maracle Thomas Bruce Maracle	Thomas Bruce Maracle was set aside on July 3, 1980. He then regained his seat on the council in a December 13, 1980 by-election.	[33]
December 12, 1981		Willard H. Brant Charles A. Maracle Douglas E. Maracle R. Donald Maracle		[33]
December 10, 1983		Richard E. Brant Murray D. Maracle Douglas E. Maracle R. Donald Maracle		[33]
December 7, 1985		Willard H. Brant Murray D. Maracle Douglas E. Maracle R. Donald Maracle		[33]
December 5, 1987		Willard H. Brant Roger M. Brant Douglas E. Maracle R. Donald Maracle		[33]
December 9, 1989		Willard H. Brant Douglas E. Maracle Paul Green Elton Brant		[33]
November 16, 1991		Douglas E. Maracle Charles A. Maracle Murray Maracle R. Donald Maracle		[33]
1993	R. Donald Maracle
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013		Carl Maracle Douglas E. Maracle Barry D. Brant Sandra Lewis-Den Otter		[37]
2015		Carl (Ted) Maracle Debra (Deb) Vincent Douglas E. Maracle Stacia Loft
2017		Josh Hill Carl (Ted) Maracle Debra Vincent Stacia Loft
December 8, 2019		Josh Hill Carl (Ted) Maracle Kelly (Brant) Maracle Lynda Leween		[38]

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