TRIBAL COUNCIL URGES AKWESASNE COMMUNITY TO VOTE IN SALMON RIVER SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION ON MAY 19TH

AKWESASNE, N.Y. - The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is encouraging all Akwesasne community members to vote in the May 19th Salmon River School Board Election. The community’s support for two Native candidates-Jason McDonald and Emily Lauzon-is needed to ensure that our Mohawk students continue to be properly represented in the Salmon River Central School District.

“Our students represent the future of Akwesasne,” stated Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. “We would be remiss, as a community, if we did not ensure that they have representation on the School Board.”

Jason McDonald and Emily Lauzon are both seeking to be re-elected for five-year terms on the School Board. Your vote ensures Mohawk tradition, culture and language continue to be preserved and promoted in our local school system. It also supports our student’s educational and athletic accomplishments in an environment that promotes equality and respects diversity.

“We would like all children within the school district to receive the best educational opportunities available,” noted Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance. He noted, “Akwesasne contributes to the school system in many ways, serving as school staff and our Mohawk students who are the majority of students at Salmon continue to be recognized for the athletic and academic achievements.”

The Salmon River Central School District is one of 13 districts in New York State that provides education to Native American students. It is the only one in the State however, where the majority of the student population is Native. A vote for Jason and Emily will help give our children the Native representation they need and deserve.

“Akwesasne must maintain our high level of support in the education of our children,” stated Tribal Chief Paul Thompson. “Our community’s commitment to the education of our Native students and the preservation of Mohawk culture must be preserved in the Salmon River school system.”

The Tribal Council is urging the Akwesasne community to vote for Jason McDonald and Emily Lauzon in the School Board election on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 from Noon to 8:00 p.m. in Salmon River’s High School Auditorium.

To vote in the School Board election individuals need to be at least 18 years old and reside in the Salmon River School District. Individuals are eligible to vote even if they do not have children attending school within the district.