Akwesasne Mohawk Territory – Onerahtohkó:wa (May) 30, 2014

As titleholders and leaders of our Mohawk Nation clan families, we wish to share our position concerning the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s announcement that it has achieved a land claim settlement with New York State and St. Lawrence County.

AKWESASNE, NY - With an all-important first step in resolving its 32-year land claim behind them, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is turning its focus on articulating the benefits of a negotiated settlement.

The tribe announced today that it has launched a new website - www.ResolveTheBoundary.com - to help the community-at-large understand a proposed settlement to boundary discussions that stretch back more than three decades.

AKWESASNE, NY - In a move that brings a decades-long land settlement closer to resolution than ever, leaders from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with officials from New York State and St. Lawrence County today.

Lots of Akwesasro:non were tuned into 97-3 CKON Monday night when a cash raffle, featuring a total payout amount of $20,000, was drawn live on air.  Tickets were sold for $20 each or 6 for $100.  This is the 2^nd year the large cash raffle has been held.  Six very worthwhile community organizations benefitted from the profits of the ticket sales. 

They include:

• Sons of the American Legion
• Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department
• Akwesasne Freedom School
• American Legion Auxiliary
• Local 440 Ironworkers Union
• St. Regis Catholic Church

On behalf of all six beneficiaries, Niawen kowa, thank you, to everyone that sold and bought the tickets.  Congratulations to the winners!  They are:

• John White - $10,000
• Mindy Delormier - $5,000
• There were also 5 draws for $1,000 each.  The five winners are Perry "Bones" Francis, Phillip Gray Sr., Harvey Montour, Pudgie King and Joe H. Lazore.

Congratulations to the winners and Niawen kowa, thank you, to everyone who supported this years cash raffle.

Tribe Receives Deal of the Year Award at Native American Finance Officers Association Annual Conference

Akwesasne Territory - Over the past several years, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has grown into one of the strongest economic drivers in the North Country of New York State, fueled in part by the development of its dynamic Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort. Yet, for more than 30 years, the Tribe has been faced with unresolved issues related to the boundary of its recognized territory.

The Tribe’s focus on developing its economic strength and negotiating a resolution to the boundary issues has been praised by a leading national organization committed to growing tribal economies. The Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) presented the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe with NAFOA’s Deal of the Year award at its 32nd annual conference in New Orleans. This was a three tribe award, bestowed upon the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Oneida Indian Nation and the Seneca Nation of Indians for their respective agreements with the state of New York. These agreements symbolize a comprehensive rebalance of tribal-state authority and jurisdiction; as was noted by NAFOA’s President, Bill Lomax, who remarked that these deals were “an extremely promising step in the right direction” and “reinforced the sovereignty of tribal nations”.

The children of Beatrice Deer Jacobs gathered at the Akwesasne Museum on Sat. April 5^th to view the Wolf Belt. According to family history and from a book published in 2012 titled “In Search of Princess White Deer – A Biography” by Patricia O. Galperin, the belt was at one time in the possession of their great grandfather, John Deer, known as Chief Running Deer. He was the last hereditary chief of the Mohawk tribe. He was born in 1834 on the St. Regis Reservation in Canada. Chief John Running Deer married Esther Loft and they had 5 children; John Jr. (Beatrice’s father), Mary, James, Lydia and George. Chief Running Deer, his three sons and his granddaughter Esther were famous Indian trick riders and performed in wild west shows all over Europe and Africa.

TERRITORY OF AKWESASNE- The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Kawehno:ke Corridor Plebiscite is now underway.  Online voting began at 9 am this morning.  The plebiscite is seeking to gauge the community’s opinion regarding the future of the Kawehno:ke corridor.  The plebiscite asks two questions:

On March 22, 2014 members of the Akwesasne Epilepsy Support Group attended the 8th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington, D.C.! The group consisted of Carson Oakes, Carrie Jacobs, Dustin Oakes, Wallace Jacobs Jr., and Montana Jacobs. Through fundraising efforts & the help of the community the group were able to make a team members dream a reality. Proudly they carried their team banner and the iroquois confederacy flag across the finish line of the 5k walk as they were greeted by loud cheers and the announcement of the groups name!  It was a proud day for the group as they represented Akwesasne in Washington, D.C and hope to do so next year as well!