Community Trust Fund Moves Closer to Reality

On Wednesday May 8, at 6 pm at the Tri-District Elders Center, a community meeting was held to discuss the latest draft of the Mohawks of Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust document. It was decided through community consultation, that a Community Trust Fund was needed to handle past, present and future settlement monies that are coming into Akwesasne. Thus far, there is no policy put in place as to how these monies will be spent, and as such, they are awaiting usage, while those policies are being developed.

If you were unable to make the meeting last night, the topics discussed were the purpose of the Community Settlement Trust Fund. The Community Settlement Trust Fund fills a number of roles, including promoting economic development, providing funding which supports the health, safety and wellbeing of members, provides funding for the social needs of members, facilities improvements, recreation programs, cultural preservation and language, provides legal fees for treaty issues among many other uses.

Also discussed was the definition and responsibilities of the Community Trustees, who are responsible for administering the Trust and ultimately have the final decision on how money is spent. There will be six trustees and an Administrative Trustee. The ways that a community member can apply to be a trustee were heard.

Overseers are another level of accountability added to the process, and allow there to be consultation on the usage of the money, with final say falling on the trustees. The role of Overseer will be to advise the Trustee and provide guidance to the Trustee. The role, responsibilities and criteria for the position of Overseer were discussed as well.

Both positions will be voluntary and will receive no salary but may qualify for an honorarium to cover the expenses of administering the trust, and any training that may be needed to administer the trust was covered as well.

Along with the number of other topics that are pertinent to the Community Settlement Trust, it is important to note the level of care that went into crafting this document, and the development of the Trust overall. There are a number of other First Nations who have created similar entities, however the Mohawks of Akwesasne benefit from the experiences, good and bad, of the members of the Aboriginal Trust Officers Association, and it is clear from the feedback received that we have put a great deal of effort into the creation of the Community Settlement Trust.

“We really are very advanced and have done our due diligence,” said Cactus Cook-Sunday, Manager of the Aboriginal Rights and Research Office.

“The trust acts in the best interests of the beneficiaries, who are the Mohawks of Akwesasne, and ensures a separation of Council and the Trust itself,” said Cook-Sunday. The trustees will be obligated to report to Council, and the community at least annually, but if a community member wishes an accounting sooner the Trust must comply.”

If interested in more information, you may obtain a copy of the Draft Settlement Agreement at the Mohawk Governance Office or you may Contact Cactus Cook-Sunday or Curtis Lazore at the Aboriginal Rights and Research Office at 613-575-2348 x2204.