Kanesatake election on Saturday

Kanesatake residents go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new band council and grand chief.

The Mohawk community's current grand chief, Steven Bonspille, is retiring from politics to focus on his family. "For me, it's important at this stage in my life to spend more time with my children," he said in an interview with Radio-Canada.

Seven people will be elected to the band council, including a grand chief.

Clarence Simon is in the running for grand chief. Simon is a former right-hand man to James Gabriel, who served as grand chief before Bonspille.

Simon's main adversary is Paul Nicolas.

Simon's campaign has focused on the importance of future land negotiations with the federal government.

Nicolas is running with a slogan of change, basing his campaign on a pledge to shake council up. "I will bring the changes we need," he told CBC's French-language service.

Veronica Montour is also running for the community's top post, and if she wins she will become Kanesatake's first female grand chief.

Quebec Aboriginal Affairs Minister Benot Pelletier said he hopes the next grand chief will be elected with a clear majority to ensure political stability in the Mohawk territory.

A bitter rivalry between Bonspille loyalists and former grand chief Gabriel's supporters contributed to political tension on council.

Bonspille became grand chief in 2005 after defeating Gabriel in council elections.

Gabriel's house was burned to the ground in 2004 during a dispute over local policing.

Hehas since moved to Ontario with his family.