Kahnawà:ke is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, across from the island of Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal). The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) is a unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) with the goal of “fighting to protect and better our environment”.
The modern environment movement in Kahnawà:ke started in the early 1980s with a group of local grassroots activists and scientists who initiated a study series to assess the potential impacts of Project Archipel – a proposal by Hydro-Quebec to dam the Lachine Rapids for hydroelectric power. The group formed the Kahnawà:ke Development Research Program (KDRP) and carried out research on Kahnawà:ke ecosystems, species, pollution, weather and seasonal changes.
This project led to many other studies in the 1980s including fish, bird and plant inventories, water sampling, pollution monitoring, identifying contaminated sites, as well as educational initiatives such as the creation of a newsletter called “Kahnawà:ke Environment”.
KDRP eventually dissolved but the drive to protect our environment remained strong in the community.
In the late 1980s the indiscriminate dumping of garbage and contaminated debris became a major concern. This practice had been occurring in the community for decades by non-local companies seeking cheap or free ways to dispose of their debris. In some instances the local landowner was aware of the dumping, and in other instances the dumping took place without permission, often under the cover of night.
In 1987, the women of the 207 Longhouse stood in front of trucks who were dumping garbage in our community in attempt to stop the practice. This grassroots action led to the creation of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection (KEP) which was originally funded by the 207 Longhouse. Some of the first actions of KEP were the development of guidelines for landfill, permitting only clean tested soil to enter the community, and the creation of a recycling program.
In the early 1990s KEP came under the umbrella of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, as the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO).
Throughout the years, KEPO has grown in its scope of responsibilities and expertise. Areas of responsibility currently include wildlife and habitat studies, environmental protection, restoration and enhancement, monitoring of contaminated sites, surface water monitoring, inspections, environmental aspects of consultations, and providing environmental and scientific expertise for projects, policies and regulation development. See our Projects and Services for more information.
To provide environmental leadership to the community in fulfilling our responsibilities as caretakers of our Mother the Earth.
Our Vision
Our vision, based on Kanien’kehá:ka traditional values, is to promote the protection, respect and improvement of all aspects of the environment. Through awareness and community responsibility we will succeed in the restoration and preservation of our Mother Earth for the future generations.
“Fighting to protect and better our environment.”
Our Team
The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) has a small but very dedicated team working to monitor, study, protect, remediate, enhance and educate about the natural environment of Kahnawà:ke, Tioweró:ton and our traditional territories.
Benjamin Green-Stacey
Director of Environment Protection
Benjamin joined the KEPO team in September 2022 as the new Director of Environmental Protection. He comes to this role from the Assembly of First Nations where he advocated on a wide range of environmental issues including: area based conservation and the importance of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, species at risk and the stewardship of culturally significant species, wildlife health and the cultural impacts of zoonotic diseases, and on development of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. He is looking forward to working with KEPO and Kahnawa’kehró:non to find culturally grounded opportunities for growth in Kahnawà:ke’s environmental protections and the assertion of jurisdiction over environmental protection matters.
Patrick Ragaz
General Manager of Field Science
Patrick has been an employee of KEPO since 2013. He received his training at the University of Guelph with a specialization in Environmental Engineering and Wildlife Biology.
Patrick is the General Manager of the Field Science Department at KEPO. This Department is responsible for carrying out environmentally oriented projects within the community, undertaking environmental compliance inspections, consulting on external projects that may impact Mohawk traditional territory and maintaining and updating KEPO’s database and mapping capabilities. Examples of recent and on-going projects include the restoration of Recreation Bay, the implementation of the Maritime Awareness Information System, monitoring of former dumpsites in the community, completing wildlife inventories and overseeing Environmental Site Assessments in the community.
Saba Thackurdeen
General Manager of Environment Protection
Saba is a conservationist and anthropologist who has spent over a decade working to uplift nature, people, and their well-being. Their experience includes working in the space of interdisciplinary research, community advocacy, social enterprise, and environmental grant-making.
Before coming to KEPO in 2022, Saba worked at a private foundation in New York, where they supported philanthropy at the intersection of land, climate and equity. Prior to working in philanthropy, they spent a formative part of their career supporting Indigenous-led, bio-cultural conservation in the South Pacific.
Saba’s role as general manager is to support all operational aspects of the Environment Protection Unit, including public engagement, communications, environmental education, finance, and performance management.
Karahkwine McGregor
Executive Administrative Assistant
Karahkwine joined KEPO in September 2018. She graduated from the administrative assistant program in 2015 from the NOVA Career Centre.
Her role is to assist staff with day-to-day tasks, manage reception area, help maintain operational budgets and provide any additional administrative support as needed. She acts as the initial contact for community members with environmental concerns and questions.
Karahkwine has a strong connection to the natural world and deeply values environmental education and preservation.
Stephanie joined the KEPO team in April 2022 as Environmental Projects Coordinator – Contaminated Sites. She has a BSc. in Biodiversity and Conservation, a Master’s in Environmental Studies, and a post-graduate certificate in GIS. She brings experience working for different NGOs in Costa Rica and the Cape Verde Islands.
Stephanie’s role is to oversee the studies of former dumpsites in Kahnawà:ke and to monitor levels of contaminants that may leach into the surrounding environments, especially in soils and groundwater. She is excited to work together with the community to find sustainable solutions.
Kahionhanoron Kenneth Canadian
Environmental Technologist
Kahionhanoron Canadian is a member of the Turtle Clan from Kahnawake and originally joined KEPO as a summer student while double majoring in Human Environment and First Peoples Studies at Concordia University. Upon graduating in 2019, he joined KEPO full time as an Environmental Technologist where he conducts various types of inspections throughout the community along with assisting in a variety of field work operations.
Kahionhanoron is currently on an educational leave of absence in order to attend Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahní:rats Adult Language Immersion Program and will be returning to KEPO full time in June, 2024.
Cole began his duties with KEPO in May 2019 as Project Support Technician. Cole previously worked with KEPO as a summer student for two summers, and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.
Now in the position of Environmental Projects Coordinator for Terrestrial Habitats, Cole assists with various projects, most notably the implementation of the Recreation Bay remediation project and the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness project.
Julie is Turtle Clan from Kahnawà:ke. She graduated from Concordia University’s First Peoples Studies Program in 2019 and has worked in community development and youth engagement. As the Environmental Projects Coordinator – Education & Outreach, Julie is responsible for promoting environmental education and awareness in Kahnawà:ke. She is honored to work with and uplift indigenous future leaders through environmental education, climate action and land-based learning for the protection of our Mother Earth.
Marina joined the KEPO team as the Environmental Projects Coordinator – Climate Change. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Environmental Studies and a Master’s degree in Human Settlements and the Environment.
Marina comes to us with international experience in a range of environmental projects, including working for the UN. She has also developed a start-up that focuses on air pollution measurement. Marina is passionate about the environment, protecting nature and working with communities, which is why she is interested in finding solutions and new ways to tackle issues such as climate change at the local level.
Tim Law
Environmental Consultation Advisor
Tim joined KEPO’s team as an Environmental Consultation Advisor in March 2022. Tim has a Master’s degree in ecology and a Bachelor of Science in biology and environmental science. He is excited to bring his experience working with different NGOs and the government to the team.
Tim is passionate in the role that communities play in protecting nature. He will be aiding in consultations regarding external projects that may impact Kanien’kehá:ka traditional territory.
Carlee joined the KEPO team in May 2023 as an Environmental Projects Coordinator, focusing on policy and outreach. She has an educational background in psychology and is passionate about community organizing, which has been her focus since completing her bachelors in 2018.
Carlee believes strongly in the importance of culture and creativity in restoring our relationship with the natural world. She brings this perspective to her role at KEPO, where her objective is to work with the community to explore what environmental policy could look like for Kahnawà:ke.
Tyler joined KEPO in 2021. His love of fishing is the foundation for his connection with the environment and has motivated his education and career. He studied biology and fish physiology at McGill University and has worked in fisheries and post-secondary education.
Tyler brings his scientific expertise to the aquatic environmental projects in Kahnawà:ke and Tioweró:ton. These projects include stream water quality monitoring and fish surveys.
Brandon Rice
Project Support Technician
Brandon joined the KEPO team as a Project Support Technician. Brandon’s environmental background is centred around his passion for hunting, fishing, conservation, and our traditional/historical practices of preserving and conserving our land and resources. He enjoys learning about our people and culture through a historical lens and finding ways to incorporate these teachings into his day-to-day life.
Brandon’s current focus is on the Brook Trout study in Tioweró:ton and the implementation of an aquatic monitoring program in creeks in Kahnawà:ke to assess the health of our waters. He will be accomplishing these tasks by bridging Western science-based research and the traditional practices that our people have always used to protect our resources.
James Serendip
Environmental GIS Specialist
James joined KEPO in March 2022 as a GIS Specialist. James has an MFA in communications and has worked as an educator in multiple fields. With a GIS Applications Specialist post-graduate certification form Fleming College, James brings a passion for problem solving, programing, GIS education, and the environment to the team. He will be organizing and maintaining KEPO’s GIS data and assisting staff through custom applications and education in mapping and analysis.
James is based in Penticton, BC, and joins the team remotely.
Ahonwakerane Stacey
Environmental Technician
Ahonwakerane is KEPO’s Environmental Technician, starting in June 2021. Previously, he worked as a language and culture teacher at the Kahnawà:ke Survival School and brings with him valuable experience in the educational field.
Ahonwakerane’s hope is to impart traditional teachings within KEPO, to assist in having a stronger connection to the natural world.
Contact Info
Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office
Located on the 1st floor of the blue building across from the Kahnawà:ke Sports Complex.
