Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell

Akwesasne Reserve No. 15, Canada

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. He served on the Mohawk Council almost continuously for more than 30 years, having been reelected as Grand Chief as recently as 2012. 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 actively involved in the border crossing dispute. His films include the 1969 documentary film about the 1969 Akwesasne border crossing dispute, You Are on Indian Land, for which he belatedly received directorial credit almost 50 years after its completion.