Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor:

Looking for a New Home in Akwesasne? ... Go Buy a Flag.

Arlene Roundpoint Baker v. Malcolm Chubb - UPDATE

I have been approached by so many people and community members over the past week commenting on my earlier letter to the editor regarding the theft of my home and property here in Akwesasne. The comments have been consistently supportive but more than anything they are remarks of sheer astonishment, horror and disbelief at the conduct, actions and most significantly, the inaction of those purporting to serve as our “leaders”. These are the people who take oaths of office swearing to uphold and enforce our Mohawk tribal laws and to serve and protect our membership and our tribal community. They are also the very people who, at Saturday’s September tribal meeting, announced that they had devised a solution to my situation and that the solution would include the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe allowing the squatters to remain on my property while they spent $20,000.00 on site-work for the brand new $75,000.00 home they have purchased for the trespassers who stole mine.

That is correct. The same people who have repeatedly stated that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe does not exercise jurisdiction over this issue or this property and who have said that tribal laws do not apply to them are now being rewarded for their blatant disrespect and disregard of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and the government they supposedly represent. I, on the other hand, have done everything that my tribal representatives and government have asked of me. I have followed their every instruction, directive and request and I have fought to have our tribal laws recognized and respected only to be ignored and then punished by the Tribal Council.

By way of background, here is a very short summary of recent events: On Friday, August 26, 2011, after Malcolm Chubb refused to leave my home, the Tribal Council issued him their first eviction notice giving him three days to leave the premises or by noon on Monday, August 29, 2011. On that Monday, Mr. Chubb once again refused to leave so the Tribal Council, instead of enforcing their first eviction order, they allowed him to stay for another fifteen (15) days or until Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Last evening (Monday, Sept. 12, 2011) I was unofficially informed that the Tribal Council does not plan on enforcing their latest eviction effort but instead are going to go through the motions and “review” their policies and procedures, seek to improve the system and focus on providing a new home for Mr. Chubb and his family.

I am at an utter loss. I have lost all faith in those that I trusted to protect me, my property and my rights. I am continuously expected to be “patient” while others are rewarded for their vigilante acts. I have begun to question how we define right from wrong in Akwesasne and accept the fact that these recent events will not be the exception but the norm and that, unfortunately, this may very well be the new reality for tribal members and our community. I want to conclude by thanking my family and all of my many supporters because it is only with their grace and support that I am able to continue to fight these growing injustices.

Arlene Roundpoint Baker