A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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To the Editor This community is being asked to go to the polls on December 3rd to approve a payment of $200.00 monthly to our Seniors. Now there is a great deal of misinformation being circulated against this proposal, such as statements that our Tribe cannot afford it and that such payments will affect existing programs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Monies are available. They are just not being prudently used. The Tribal Council has consistently failed to consult with our community when spending proceeds from our gaming...
Once again I had the opportunity to watch the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council perform an injustice to its membership. At the monthly tribal meeting held on 11/5/16, I placed a motion on the floor that the legal fees of Hattie Renee Hart incurred due to her lawsuit against Tribal Council for illegally taking 3.5 million dollars to invest in the soybean project without benefit of an referendum as required by the 94 Procedure Act, be paid by Tribal Council. The motion was seconded and a short...
It’s not just upsetting to see one of Canada’s foremost Artists to be found dead in the river. Tears come to my eyes as I see a reflection of the disparity of how Aboriginal women are treated in the eyes of persons in positions of authority and power, as compared to what happens when a famed and honoured Caucasian military general, General Romeo Dallaire hits hard times, because of atrocities he saw in Rwanda. The acclaimed Artist Annie Pootoogook showed to humanity how devastated the Aboriginal Inuit world became, as the ever grasping, and gre...
September 6, 2016 RE: RICHARD ADAMS Purpose of this letter 1. I wish for this letter to bring to the community’s attention some important objective observations, experiences and actions, from an outsider who has been coming to Akwesasne regularly since 1990. This information is intended to shed some light or reflect the frustrations of many members on questionable conduct of some officials and individuals whose agendas are not always for the well-being of the People, with the hope that such exposure will lead to more fair and m...
As we near the first day of school, both teachers and parents are preparing for the students’ return to classes. We take great care to make sure that they have backpacks, school supplies and clothing for all types of weather. We try to make sure they get a good night’s rest so that they are alert and ready to learn. We do everything we can to set them up for a successful school year. As we prepare these items with care, let us also remember one of the most important pieces of the puzzle - making sure that they are receiving the most they can fr...
Re: Indian Time, dated August 4, 2016, page 24 The Sacrifice of the mass is universal; it’s the same all over the world. The response and affirmation from the congregation can be and may be in the dialect or language of those attending the mass. Originally, here in St. Regis, the Latin language was used. Then the English later and now. Reverend W. K. Jacobs SS a Mohawk said mass in Latin but preached in the Mohawk native language. The Choir sang in the Native Language but the music was Gregorian chant. Definition of Gregorian chant: After P...
Over the past many years, we at Akwesasne Stuff the Bus have provided school supplies to many students in the community of Akwesasne. We have seen the joy on the children’s and parent’s faces after receiving the upcoming year’s school supplies. We were able to buy the supplies of years past based solely on the donations that we had received from the local businesses as well as the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and MCA. Over the past couple of years there has been a decrease in the amount of community funding for this project as well as other organ...
Where else can you go to buy cat food in a can for $1.09? Where else can you go to buy a nine-volt battery for $7.19? Where else can you go to buy a bottle of wine for $20.00? We can shop local at all of our stores in Akwesasne…that is where. Yes, we have an Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce looking out to benefit the business people in Akwesasne. Yes, we have a Convenience Store Association that works together on their businesses making sure that the pricing is fair for each of the store owner members. Yes, we have an elected tribal government h...
In an effort to save money, a food co-op would help to reduce grocery bills. As with other food co-ops it will require pre-paying. The more people that join the co-op, equals larger purchasing power, which in turn equals lower prices. Starting with purchasing power that would only require a 14ft truck would be a good start. Eventually an order that requires a tractor trailer (18 wheeler) is the goal. A facility to handle such a large order might require help from SRMT by way of connecting us with our Casino, Community Food Distribution Building...
July 12th, 2016 Dear Editor: I write to you and the community of Akwesasne as a whole to announce that I have agreed to act as the Plaintiff of Record for a Class Action Civil Suit to be filed in the St. Regis Tribal Court with a consolidated motion asking for a Stay and Declaratory Order, request that; the removal of the Hogansburg Dam be Stayed now to allow for full consultation on all aspects and for a Declaratory Order ordering the St. Regis Tribal Council to hold a referendum on the issue. The Tribe is preparing to remove a dam on our...
Has Akwesasne Mohawk Council betrayed the Community? It appears that they have by signing a Co-owners Agreement with Cornwall for the Port Divestiture. It was signed at Cornwall City Hall last week. Those that get the Cornwall Standard Freeholder will have seen the smiley faces of the signers. I believe the signing is illegal. When was the referendum held to determine whether the community wanted MCA councilors to sign on? Anything to do with Lands must be decided by the whole community and that means Referendum. So MCA, do the right thing by...
I would like to express my concerns over the removal of the dam in Hogansburg. A lot of us have grown up on this river, if not all of us. We all swam, boated or fished as kids on this river and most still do til this day. Our people have lived off this river for many generations, whether it be for travel, enjoyment or livelihood. We’ve grown up hearing many fish tales about the giant fish species that were caught in this river by our parents and grandparents and so on, throughout our lives. I myself make my living by guiding on our great r...
After attending last night’s Salmon River Central Board Meeting, I was left in shock and awe, but mostly left with a feeling of disappointment. The board members have clearly forgotten their purpose as representatives. They were elected to sit in this position to be the voice of our Administrators, the voice of our Teachers, the voice of the Parents and most importantly the voice for our Children. At last night’s meeting, none of them had a voice. After congregating for nearly two hours behind closed doors, not one single native board mem...
By Eric Schneiderman June 2, 2016 We’ve all had the experience of logging online to buy tickets for our favorite band or show only to find out the tickets are already gone — sold out within seconds. And, in an instant, those same tickets are posted on resale sites like StubHub or TicketsNow with an exorbitant markup. New Yorkers have been complaining to my office for years about this seemingly rigged game. Why, they asked, can they not find affordable tickets anywhere? A detailed report issued by my office in January finally pulled back the...
Krystal Oakes was always partying mostly on Thursdays, pool night if my team won afterwards I would get drunk. The celebration started with rum and coke or kalarato koolaid. The last time I drank I got hurt bad and spent the night at the hospital and was woken up every hour and it sucked. I had a big egg on my head the worst thing of all is I was still drunk when I woke up with the worst hangover. To top it off I wasn’t given any meds, just a big bill! I was so grateful Onen’to:kon took me right away. Thank you so much for that, you saved my...
I would like to express my support for Ms. Shelley Jacobs, who is seeking re-election for Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Sub-Chief on Saturday, June 4, 2016. I believe in Shelley, both from a personal standpoint and a professional one. I’ve known Shelley and her family most of my life, growing up in the same neighborhood. As we became closer friends as adults, I’ve witnessed Shelley work her way through her educational and career choices, and have admired her character throughout; but it wasn’t until she became Tribal Sub-Chief six years ago that...
Dear Editor, Those who are presented with a Cancer diagnosis and are told to follow a radiation or chemotherapy treatment regimen, do not know the truth about Cancer. Go to the website: “The truth about Cancer,” enter your email address and discover that there are indeed cures for Cancer. Sincerely, Victor Martin...
Ernie Thompson, Director of Department of Planning and Infrastructure, was away when two people I didn’t know came on the homeland without prior permission. They were told that they were not welcome here. They were asked to leave several times. And then they went out of the driveway and went up the west entrance of the homeland. Again they were told to leave. One man had a sledge hammer. LeadHorse got his crossbow. When Ernie came back to work, he called and we met. He admitted that information should have been put out earlier. During the m...
Mr. Doug George is a frequent contributor to your paper and usually brings up very thought provoking topics. His article from the 4-24-16 issue was no exception, but I do respectfully disagree with 1 of his points. We all agree that Akwesasne is a sovereign nation and has a unique relationship with the US Government based on treaties and agreements that date back to the 1700s. Our nation, as well as many other Indian Nations, gave up much of their culture, lands and identity for these treaties. Whether we like it or not, at least at present, th...
By voting on May 17th, we will all play a part in deciding the future of our school district. I ask that you vote YES to adopt the budget proposal to support continued investment in our children’s education and to elect two new members of the Board of Education. Members of a school board of education play an important part of our political voice and that is why I would like you to vote for Craig Jock, my Dad. A lifelong resident of Fort Covington, my father (with the help of my mother, Vicky) raised my brothers and I right here in this s...
I would like to respond to Chief LaFrance’s response to the article printed in the April 28, 2016 issue of the Indian Time regarding an Ethics Complaint that I filed. First I will once again state that all was openly discussed at the April Monthly Meeting. 1) Soybean Production investment and the Tewatahonni Corporation - The community needs to ask who sits on the Tewatahonni Board and who they answer to? It is my understanding that Council sits on the Board. Who ultimately made and approved the funding of the Casino and Mohawk Net Works? If a...
It is important that the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe promote, without fear of ridicule or public criticism, the acts of kindness, humility and leadership we are so fortunate to see in our youth. Brayden “Sonny” White is promoting hope and awareness through volunteer efforts throughout Akwesasne and because he’s been nationally recognized, the spotlight of his work shines on Indian Country. The award he received from The Aspen Institute as a Champion for Change was based on his history of volunteer service, which includes serving as a National Nat...
Brayden White was selected as a Champion for Change for founding the program Helping Hands. To the right is the webpage from the Center for Native American Youth website, which is cnay.org. This exact page can be found at http://cnay.org/2016_CFCs.html. Helping Hands did not exist when he was selected, and as of press time to our knowledge Helping Hands does not exist and/or is not operational....
For the last seven plus years I have had the privilege to be the Chief Judge of the SRMT Court. During this time I have witnessed the growth of the Court and have seen many people assist in that growth. If you are unaware, in order to hold the position of Chief Judge for the SRMT Court a person has to go through the normal SRMT political process of caucus and election, but any person hoping to become Chief Judge of the SRMT Court must also be 25 years of age, and be an attorney with 5 years of experience. I bring these matters to everyone’s a...
March 14, 2016 On March 9, 2016, Amanda ‘’Zedah’’ Arquette had a 1 lb. 10oz. baby named Zaylia. The baby was born 2 months early and is in the NICU in Syracuse, NY. Amanda is the daughter of Bill and Juanita Arquette (father & step mom) Norma Johnson (mother). The family is attempting to raise money to help defray the costs of food and lodging expenses. Amanda also has two other children in need of care, who are currently being cared for by Juanita. The baby will be in the hospital for approximately 9 weeks. Amanda is an employee at the Akwesas...
