Steven Bonspille facts for kids

Steven Bonspille is a leader from the Kanesatake community in Quebec, Canada. He is a member of the Mohawk Nation. From 2005 to 2008, he served as the Grand Chief of Kanesatake. This is a very important leadership role in his community.

Kanesatake's Leadership

Steven Bonspille was first chosen to be part of the chiefs' council in 2001. He is known as a "traditionalist." This means he believes in following the older ways of his community.

Before 1991, Kanesatake chose its leaders in a very old way. Special women called clan mothers would pick the chiefs. This system was based on families and how they were connected through mothers. Children in the community are part of their mother's clan. They get their family status from her.

After a time of change in 1991, the community started using a new way to pick leaders. They began to hold elections, where people could vote for their chiefs.

A Change in Leadership

In the early 2000s, Steven Bonspille became a key figure in Kanesatake's government. At that time, the Grand Chief was James Gabriel. He had been elected three times.

Steven Bonspille and two other chiefs, Pearl Bonspille and John Harding, did not always agree with James Gabriel. They saw Gabriel as a "modernist," meaning he favored newer ways. Bonspille and his allies preferred the traditional ways.

It was important in the Mohawk community to understand family lines. John Harding's mother was Mohawk, so he belonged to her clan. James Gabriel's father was Mohawk, but his mother was not. This difference was sometimes discussed because of the community's traditional system where the mother's clan is very important.

In 2005, Steven Bonspille ran against James Gabriel for Grand Chief. Bonspille won the election. Six other people were also elected to the chiefs' council, also known as the band council. These new council members generally supported James Gabriel.

After his term as Grand Chief ended in 2008, Steven Bonspille and his family moved to Oka, Quebec. This town is right next to Kanesatake.