New leadership at the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission has reopened a dispute over whether the Indigenous regulator should be governed by elected or appointed commissioners.

The Commission announced on September 2, 2026, that Donna Delaronde became chair effective August 26. It also confirmed that the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke appointed Vicky Diabo as a commissioner on August 17.

What changed

The Mohawk Council made the appointment of Vicky Diabo. The Gaming Commission announced both leadership changes.

The Commission regulates online and land-based gaming within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke, an Indigenous jurisdiction near Montréal, Québec. It was established in 1996 and is separate from Québec’s provincial gambling authorities and commercial gaming operators.

Why the process is under scrutiny

Mohawk Council Chief Jeremiah Johnson opposed Diabo’s appointment. The Eastern Door reported that Johnson said the role should be decided by the community rather than filled through another council appointment.

Johnson cited section nine of the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law. The section provides for commissioners to be elected at the same time as general elections for the Mohawk Council.

The law also refers to an interim commission made up of appointed commissioners until an elected commission is established. According to The Eastern Door, commissioners have been appointed rather than elected since the law was enacted in 1996.

The dispute centres on a gap between the law’s reference to elected commissioners and the appointment system used in practice for decades.

Law review adds pressure

Mohawk Council Grand Chief Cody Diabo acknowledged that the law refers to elected commissioners. He said the legislation is being reviewed through the community’s decision-making process and has received only limited updates since its creation.

Diabo said the Council continued with the appointment process used for decades. The review could determine whether the territory changes how commissioners are selected.

What happens next

  • Vicky Diabo’s appointment runs for one year, according to the Mohawk Council meeting record.
  • Donna Delaronde’s chairmanship took effect on August 26, 2026.
  • The community review of the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law could lead to changes in the appointment model.
  • Until then, the Commission will continue overseeing gaming licensing and compliance within Kahnawà:ke.

The disagreement does not establish that the appointments are invalid. It is a public dispute over whether the current practice matches the wording and purpose of the territory’s gaming law.