John Kane

John Karhiio Kane is a Mohawk from Kahnawake. He is a 1978 graduate from Cambridge Central School. He lives on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation. John has been involved for most of his adult life in Native issues and specifically defending Native sovereignty and autonomy. John has taken on taxation and regulatory battles with State and Federal tax agencies. He continues that work at the State and Federal levels with frequent trips to Albany and Washington.

John is a radio show host, a podcaster and a Youtuber. His radio shows, now called “Resistance Radio” are carried by WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City and WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington DC. His podcasts can be heard on all the major podcast platforms and can be found here. Videos of his shows are streamed on Facebook on his “Let’s Talk Native with John Kane” group page and on his “Let’s Talk Native TV” Youtube channel along with a library of short-form videos produced by his crew in his Cattaraugus studio. His latest show is here, where he discusses his presentation to the school board at the December meeting.

John recorded a video in January about race-based mascots, We Are Not Your Mascots. It has been widely shared amongst schools across the country that are also taking up the cause to end the practice of race-based mascots. Also of interest is Columbus: In His Own Words.

WAMC interviewed John prior to the November board meeting and just after.

• November 12, 2020

• November 17, 2020

WNYT interviewed John prior to the December board meeting.

December 10, 2020

John was on the agenda at the December meeting and was given thirty minutes to speak to the board, his statement can be found below.

John spoke during both public comment periods at the November 12th school board meeting. Below is the statement that he shared during his time.