Town of Thompson Meeting in Sullivan County Attended by Akwesasronon

Members of the Kanienkehaka community at Akwesasne recently attended a closed-session meeting held in Sullivan County, sponsored by the Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini, which focused on off-reservation gaming as economic development.

The Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne clan representative Men’s Council sent participants, as did the St. Regis Mohawk tribal member Off-Reservation Gaming Committee.

Meeting participants included New York Senator John Bonacic(R), whose elected 42nd district includes Sullivan County, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther(D)(C-Sullivan, 98th district), the Stockbridge Munsee Mohicans, and regional business entities.

Akwesasronon commented on the need for additional economic development opportunities for Onkwehonwe within Kanienke, the Eastern Door Territory.

Senator Bonacic, chairman of the New York State Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, was in attendance when the participants were informed of the opening of new Class II gaming facilities in the North Country for economic development purposes. Mr. Bonacic expressed his support for such projects and elaborated on the pressing need the region has for such innovation and decision-makers to come.

Cultural exchange took place at the gathering, particularly between the Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne - Men’s Council and Joe Miller of the Stockbridge Munsee Mohicans who said after the meeting, “It is always our position when dealing with our brethren Indian people that we work together on common interests and be respectful of our differences, as recent history shows we have more in common than not.”