Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe March Meeting

SRMT Chief Eric Thompson chaired the monthly meeting held on Saturday, April 1, 2017. The meeting was called to order at 10am.

2. Review of Action Items

Community members requested information on the future plans for the former IGA building. Chiefs stated this is “ONGOING”.

Community members requested Tribal Council to check into the 1990 Cold Cases.

Tribal Council reported on the March Tribal Meeting motion from the floor:

Karonienhawi Thomas moved that “Tribal Council enacts an investigation (fact finding) and evaluation of the correlation and relationship between the original Elders Benefit Group and the anonymous propaganda, which is an indirect contradiction to the benefit (to) Elders. There are signs of the propaganda, is to be exploitive to all Akwesasne Elders and their needs. Exploitation of Elders is an assault to all Akwesasne Members. The Seniors Benefit is a great idea. Tactics by members should (be) dealt with lawfully and respectfully.” Moving forward such meetings (should) supply community-meeting minutes; it was seconded by Kanerahtenhawe Jackson. Vote: In favor – 31; Opposed – 1; Abstained – 14. CARRIED

3. Update – Hogansburg Dam Removal Future Monitoring and Planning

Tony David, Program Manager, Water Resources Environment Division, presented a brief overview and timeline of the removal of the Hogansburg Dam. With the removal of the dam, David reminded us of the original intent of the renaming of the area.

“During colonization one of the pathways to dispossession was to rename aboriginal place names. This would effectively remove from the native inhabitants their sense of place and context.”, Michael Galban, (Washoe/Paiute) Curator/Historian Ganondagan State Historic Site.

He included original names in Kanien’kéha;

Tekahsonh’karó:renhs – St. Regis Mills/Hogansburg

Ohi’karonthne – Helena

Katsia’kowáhne – French Mills/Fort Covington

Dam removal accomplishments include: return of the project land to SRMT, removal of restricted areas, removal of spillway drowning hazard, immediate improvement to fish habitat (below spillway), 1st Tribe to remove FERC licensed hydro, 1st hydro decommission/removal in NYS and this project used zero Tribal funds. The removal of the dam reconnects 550 river and streams miles.

The ‘Final Order Accepting Licenses Surrender’ and project completion is expected in April 2017. Several community members questioned what the building will be used for, (the building was turned over to the Economic Development Division for future development of a possible art park and green space), tagging of fish (small tags will be used this year), netting (will be discussed at the Tribal Fisheries Meeting on the 13th), and changing the spawning area for walleyes (walleye now has the potential to spawn as far as Hastings Falls).

Post removal activities include: sediment monitoring, bathymetry survey, fish migration, fish community, ice jam modeling, Atlantic salmon stocking, shoreline monitoring and wetlands monitoring.

The SRM Tribal Chiefs acknowledged Tony David’s outstanding work and his recent appointment to the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board of Control.

David announced the Tribal Fisheries Focus Group Meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2017, 5:00 to 6:00pm at the Environment Division, Frogtown Road.

4. Presentation Agriculture Program 2017 Work Plan

Wally Ransom, Program Manager updated the community on work entering the second year of this program. Ransom was pleased to announce the Agriculture program now has two new John Deere tractors. This additional tractor will aid in the Program’s garden tilling service for community members. Interested community members are asked to sign up on April 22, 2017.

The program will continue in its second year with the Mother Earth Egg Project with Akwesasne Youth. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 2017 for Mother Earth project members and their families to discuss the production and cost of raising organic eggs.

Community members raised a number of questions regarding the program with enthusiastic support overall.

As well this spring, the Agriculture Program will oversee an initiative to help recover growing areas including Swamps, Cooks, Grays, and Arquette farmland which experienced substantial flooding in the past.

5. Presentation Akwesasne Culture Restoration Program

Barbara Tarbell gave an update of the Akwesasne Culture Restoration Program with fourth year apprentices preparing for an exit from the program. Tarbell stated many apprentices have become masters in their own right. ACR’s apprenticeship program is where learners reach a point where they possess the skills of a master in one of four areas; Fishing and River Use, Traditional Medicines and Healing, Hunting and Trapping and Horticulture and Traditional Foods and in turn the apprentices take on a teaching role. Mohawk Language is an overarching priority identified by the community. ACR applies this to everything they do, in every lesson, activity, community event and presentation. After four years, ACR’s apprentices are now Mohawk speakers.

Another ACR focus is to fund existing tribal cultural institutions and projects (see IT’s article Akwesasne Cultural Restoration Program Awards $300,000)

The Tribal Chiefs and community members present at the meeting acknowledged Ms. Tarbell’s outstanding work. Community members questioned if the ACR program will continue (dependent upon funding) and the transition phase of the apprentices.

Announcements

SRMT Chiefs announced the Senior Benefit Committee members. They are Brayden Sonny White, James Ransom, Diane Boots, Chessy Thomas and her mother Dorothy Costello.

New Business

Community members questioned; who own the former Bingo Palace (the SRMT), the withdrawal of the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association proposal, the future of alternative energy initiatives, NYPA and gaming facilities, earnings at the Casino (there is NO decrease in the earning at the Casino), and the number of Mohawk employees at the Tribe and Casino (the Tribe is at 80% and the Casino at 42% Mohawk) and tax exempt status and the Dollar General store which sits within the land claims area (currently Dollar General does not accept tax exempt status and refuses to accept tax exempt status).

Next Monthly Meeting – May 6, 2017

Adjourned at 12:10pm