Michael K. Mitchell

Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell has served as Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for going on twenty years, from 1984 to 2002 and from 2009 to present. He was first elected in 1982 as a District Chief to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne representing Cornwall Island (he also served in that capacity from 2003 to 2006). One of the most respected First Nations leaders in Canada, he was born in Akwesasne and is fluent in the Mohawk language. He has successfully applied traditional diplomatic skills in addressing the governance and development challenges facing Akwesasne and other First Nations. His vision to help restore the independence of the Mohawk people of Akwesasne draws from both traditional Haudenosaunee governance and modern democratic systems of governance. Prior to his ascent to District Chief and then Grand Chief, Mitchell worked as an Ironworker (Local 440), a filmmaker, and as Director of Cultural Education for the North American Indian Traveling College.