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Canadian Mohawk politician, filmmaker and lacrosse builder

Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell (or simply Mike Mitchell) is a longtime Canadian Mohawk politician, pioneering First Nations film director and a leading figure in First Nations lacrosse.

First elected to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in 1982, he began his first term as Grand Chief in 1984.^[1] He served on the Mohawk Council almost continuously for more than 30 years, having been reelected as Grand Chief as recently as 2012.^[2][3]

Prior to entering politics, Mitchell studied and directed films with the National Film Board as part of its Indian Film Crew.

Invited to be an active part of the Challenge for Change program, he got involved in the border crossing dispute. His films include the documentary You Are on Indian Land (1969), about the 1969 Akwesasne border crossing dispute.

A student at the time, working with a staff member of the NFB who had official autho