NOTICE
Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council
Position on the Cannabis Industry within the Territory
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy has, since time immemorial, upheld the Kaianere’kó:wa (Great Law of Peace) as the foundation of our governance, relationships, and responsibilities to the natural world. Guided by the principles of Peace, Good Mind, and Strength in Unity, it is our responsibility to protect the health, well-being, and shęh niyogwaiho’dę (our ways) of our People and our Lands and the faces yet to come.
Cannabis, while known to us in modern times, is not part of our traditional medicines, ceremonies, or sustenance systems. Its commercial cultivation and sale within our territory is a matter that must be weighed not only by potential economic benefits, but more importantly by the impacts on the minds, bodies, and spirits of our citizens, and on the social fabric of our communities.
We have observed the consequences of the cannabis industry in other places and most recently here at Grand River — the exploitation of vulnerable populations, the normalization of substance dependency, the erosion of traditional economies, and the introduction of outside influences that weaken our cultural foundations. This is not consistent with our obligation to act for the generations yet to come.
Our guiding principles remind us:
- Peace — We must preserve harmony within our communities, ensuring that disputes, harms, and divisions brought about by substances and profit-seeking are not allowed to take root.
- Good Mind — Decisions must be made with clear thinking and a focus on the collective good, not clouded by the lure of short-term individual gain or outside pressure.
- Strength in Unity — We stand together to protect our people from industries that undermine our values, traditions, and ways of life.
As sovereign nations within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, we reaffirm our commitment to the Kaianere’kó:wa and to the protection of our territories from activities that conflict with our responsibilities as stewards of the land and protectors of our future generations.
Therefore, we stand in opposition to the establishment, operation, or expansion of the cannabis industry within Haudenosaunee territory. We call upon all our people to honour the wisdom handed down by our ancestors, to uphold the teachings passed down to us, and to safeguard the path for those yet unborn.
There is a serious lack of oversight for the Cannabis Commission as an entity created by the Six Nations Elected Band Administration, which in turn is a creation of the Canadian Government. Both entities are misrepresenting themselves and their interests and can never hold sovereignty as held by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council.
Should you decide to not honour our ways, you have stepped outside of Our Circle Wampum and are no longer under the protection of the Chiefs & Clanmothers. Govern yourselves accordingly.
As approved by the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council
September 6, 2025
