Abram Benedict is currently the Grand Chief for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. In the position of Grand Chief, Abram leads a dynamic Council of 12 members that govern the Mohawk Community of Akwesasne.  The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is an advanced First Nation community that delivers a wide variety of services to its members. Akwesasne is uniquely located on the international boundaries of Canada, the United States and the provincial borders of Ontario and Quebec. As an advanced community government, one of the Council priorities is to improve the services offered to its members. By embracing change through the utilization of modern approaches and enhanced governance structures, the Mohawk Council has set out to modernize the organization through embracing its senior-level management down to its front-line staff to effect positive change.

​

Abram has spent the last 13 years in community leadership, more recently, in the position of Grand Chief for Akwesasne.  The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has recently undertaken initiatives to redefine its service delivery methods using design thinking and performance measurement outcomes. Under Abram’s leadership as the Grand Chief, he has lead negotiations with federal government partners to obtain financial support for the organization to support the preparation and the implementation of change initiatives. The change initiatives included the review of governance structures and system reviews, and analysis of a workforce of 800 employees predominantly made of Mohawks of Akwesasne. Abram and his council recognize that the workforce is the catalyst for implementing change, and organizational improvements would only not only benefit the organization but the community of Akwesasne as well. As the Grand Chief of Akwesasne, Abram has built a healthy relationship with federal and provincial government partners that support Akwesasne and support the community’s initiatives for change. 

​

As the Grand Chief for Akwesasne Abram has successfully led several successful negotiations, including two significant land claims that will help advance Akwesasne’s priorities with proceeds of over $280 million.  Other negotiations include cooperative land use agreement, union negotiations, government contribution agreements, and civil disputes.

​

Before joining the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in 2006, Abram managed the workforce for Four Directions Petroleum, a First Nation company that exported fuel from Canada into sovereign tribal nations within the United States.  Four Directions Petroleum oversaw the management of two fuel stations and a home heating fuel company located in the United States.  Abram was responsible for monitoring and directing a senior leadership team that managed the day to day operations of the retail establishments.

​

Abram Benedict is a lifetime resident of Akwesasne and is a father to his eighteen-year-old daughter, Havana. Abram studied business administration at Algonquin College, severs as a Governor for St. Lawrence College and is a current member of the Chairperson’s Indigenous Circle of the Parole Board of Canada.  Abram’s excellent community leadership and political experience have allowed him to lead a community government, to meet the need of its people, raise the positive profile of his community and enhanced relations between Canada’s second-largest First Nation Community of Akwesasne and the Governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec.