Kahnawake is once again taking steps to remove about 200 non-natives from its territory.
The Mohawk Council created a law in 1981 to ban "marrying out", and it means that residents who marry a non-native are no longer allowed to live in Kahnawake.
The latest uproar over the policy arose this summer, when the council re-issued eviction notices to about 200 people, including former Olympic athlete Waneek Horn-Miller.
That prompted the band council to meet Tuesday evening to discuss the law, and give people a chance to air their grievances.
There are some exceptions, and Joe Delaronde says there are several non-natives who are allowed to live on the territory.
As recently as 2011 the overwhelming majority of Kahnawake residents approved the restrictions.
"If everybody is allowed to come into these 35,000 acres we have left there's the fear that we'll be overrun with the cultures that are surrounding us. And it's no disrespect to those cultures but we're trying to hold onto what little we have left in the world," said Delaronde.
She and others are challenging the law in court, saying they should have the right to marry whomever they choose and continue to live on native territory.
Horn-Miller was the first to speak about the issue confirming she has filed a legal challenge so she and her husband, Keith Morgan, and their children can remain in Kahnawake.
Others who were at the meeting were then ejected, after those in attendance voted to limit participation to those who are currently allowed to live in Kahnawake.
