(Kahnawake – 4 Onerahtohkó:wa/May 2026) The Multi-Purpose Building Committee, including KORLCC, Turtle Island Theatre, Kahnawà:ke Tourism, and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, announces a major funding milestone nearing the $55.7 million goal for the new Cultural Center, Museum, and Theatre.
An extensive application was submitted to the Cultural Spaces Fund under Canadian Heritage, with the process taking approximately one year from initial submission to approval. The resulting $2.5 million grant helped address a funding shortfall for the project. The team had previously applied to this fund in 2022 but was not successful due to budget pressures from inflation affecting other approved projects following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was relieved and excited to receive the approval email. After years of working so diligently on applications to cover the construction budget, this was the last application I would be doing. Special thanks to Diabo Consulting, Louie John Diabo, our Project Manager, who crunched the numbers and assisted significantly in the submission. His support and financial expertise were exemplary.” said Trina C. Diabo, OCC Strategist.
“The Committee has worked hard to secure funds for building our new home since 2016, when the project was just a concept. Here we are now, with 10 years of hard work and a dedicated team, this funding provides the opportunity to now focus on moving in and operate all programming for our community.” said KORLCC Executive Director Kawennanó:ron Lisa Phillips.
“As we marked National Indigenous Languages Day on March 31st, we are proud to support the Kahnawà:ke community’s efforts to reclaim and revitalize the Kanien’kéha language and culture. Across the country, we are committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to support them in implementing their own language and cultural revitalization initiatives, and to preserve this precious heritage for future generations.”—The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
“I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Building Committee in ensuring this project stayed on goal resulting in a fully funded new home for the Cultural Center, Museum and Turtle Island Theatre. The partnership has achieved significant success.” said Portfolio Chief Melanie Morrison.