Letter to the Editor:

August 8, 2009

Akwesasne Mohawk Territory

Information for the community as presented at the Mohawk Council General Meeting at the Rec. Center in St. Regis on September 3, 2009

We must report that a great injustice and breach of law is now taking place in Akwesasne. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has committed a grievous offense against its community. The offense is election fraud by the Akwesasne Mohawk Justice Department leading to misappropriation of community money. The events are as follows:

On June 27th, 2009 on Akwesasne, council elections took place on all three districts of Akwesasne. On the district of Kahwenoke (Cornwall Island) an appeal was submitted with regards to the elections. The appeal was heard by the appeal board and was denied. With respect to due process, according to the Akwesasne Election Law an individual can appeal the decision of the Appeal board to the Akwesasne Mohawk court which is the final appeal process and depending on the outcome of the Mohawk court decision, the appeal can be upheld or a new election must take place. An appeal to the Mohawk court was made in a timely manner and hasn’t convened yet to address this final appeal. The Justice Department of Akwesasne allowed a Justice of the Peace to swear in four Kahwenoke (Cornwall Island) Chiefs before due process was completed. When the Justice Department allowed these Chiefs to be sworn in they breached the Election Law thereby leading to the misappropriation of community funds by paying salaries and travelling expenses to the four Kahwenoke (Cornwall Island) Chiefs. The total disregard of the Election Law by the Akwesasne Mohawk Justice Department under the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne indicates corruption and embezzlement has reared its ugly head notwithstanding the “outside” view that Akwesasne is one of the more “progressive” First Nations. The time has come for a forensic audit. Much overhauling needs to be done to convince Akwesasronon (the people of Akwesasne) that this election system is the right method of governance. How can the people of Akwesasne get justice and fair governance while this hypocrisy is taking place? The idea of Nation Building is laughable and will be voted down.

On behalf of Akwesasne Peoples Fire

Signed Helen Benedict, Nelson David White, Beverly Pyke, Nona Benedict