Akwesasne council signs agreement
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) revealed this week that they have signed a long-awaited and controversial settlement agreement regarding a New York State land claim, with community members unsure what that means for the next steps in the legal process.
MCA joins the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT), which signed the agreement on December 11, but the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs (MNCC) have voiced their opposition with the settlement and stated that they won’t be signing it.
MCA, SRMT, and the MNCC formed a tri-council concerning the claim back in 1986, and it’s unclear how the settlement will move ahead without the MNCC agreeing to it.
MCA refused a request from The Eastern Door for an interview regarding their signing of the agreement and next steps, but provided a statement from their grand chief, Leonard Lazore.
“Moving forward, the MCA is focusing on strengthening community engagement by providing updates during all future general meetings, where this will become a standing discussion item,” the statement reads. “Additionally, we are actively developing a comprehensive communication plan to ensure timely, clear, and transparent updates for our community.”
The SRMT did not respond to The Eastern Door’s request for an interview.
The agreement seeks to settle a land dispute which has been in the courts since 1982, though the history of the dispute dates back to 1796. Promises in the agreement include free tuition at State University of New York (SUNY) universities for Ahkwesahsró:non, hunting and fishing rights, and a provision for low-cost power, as well as a $70 million payment to be paid by the New York Port Authority (NYPA) to the tri-council over 35 years.
Those opposed to the settlement have, however, expressed concern that there could be room within the agreement for other land claims to be “extinguished” as part of the agreement. In a December 12 press release, the MNCC shared a press release stating that they would no longer recognize Howard Thompson, a Wolf Clan roiá:ner (chief), in part due to his engagement with New York State, SRMT, and MCA regarding the settlement.
“By tying the People of the Longhouse/Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs/Haudenosaunee Confederacy to this settlement, it inadvertently accepts the legitimacy of the 1796 treaty; which confirms a consensual surrender of our land in New York State,” the release reads.
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“We share this notification now, as we cannot wait until after he signs an agreement that could potentially destroy our inherent claim to our ancestral lands.”
The MNCC was unavailable for comment due to Midwinter ceremonies this week, but MNCC Bear Clan mother Louise Herne told The Eastern Door in December “We are greatly opposed to it as it reads.”
