Five ‘spokespeople’ elected to address 3-chief issue

A group of individuals concerned with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s system of government held an election Saturday to put five individuals into positions that would help address that issue as well as any others the community has concerns over.

A total of 264 tribal members who reside on both sides of the U.S. – Canada border voted Melvin White, Roger Thomas, Cindy Smoke, Thomas Johnson, and Mark Terrance as spokespersons. They also elected Pam Cook as administrator.

“We are no longer just a ‘group,” said White. “We are officially elected tribal spokespersons with a mandate to bring forth the question (of the legality of the 3-chief system) and we will do that through public meetings.”

The group plans to hold three meetings and eventually a referendum that will ask community members: “Is the traditional 3-chief form of government valid? Yes or No?”

Larry Thompson helped to organize the group and the election. “What it is (is), the reins are going to be provided to the people. If the vote is yes they support the 3-chief system, then this is dissolved”, he said as he motioned to the group of elected spokespeople.

Johnson said he was motivated to run as spokesperson because he has attended tribal meetings and witnessed the difficulty of bringing about change.

“The people don’t have any voice,” he said. “If we don’t do anything now, in about five years we won’t be able to change anything.”

Although the group was disappointed with the voter turnout, they emphasized their happiness that more people voted in their election than in the last tribal referendum.

Those elected have signed social contracts that commit them to act on the will of the community.

The spokespersons have committed to “Support and defend the will of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Community expressed by referenda against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Terrance said he was interested in participating because more people need to be involved. Thomas said he got involved when he noticed how little control community members have at the tribe.

“For the past ten to fifteen years it’s been the same ‘ole,” he said. “That really got me going. I say ‘We have no control over the things going on on our reservation and our land…It’s time for change.”

Those elected will be present at a community fun day this Saturday. A schedule of upcoming meetings will be released at a later date.