A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
The Saint Regis February monthly meeting proved to be an unusual meeting starting with an emotional beginning and ending with a surprised thank you. First on the agenda was the inaugural presentation of the Community Recognition Awards by Sub Chief Agnes Jacobs (please see “Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Honors Three Heroes” in this issue).
The Tribe is exploring the possibility of erecting streetlights in Akwesasne at most intersections and as one community member suggested – at high accident sites. Working with National Grid, the operating cost of one ‘Type D’ LED light is $168.14 per year and to erect a streetlight pole where needed would initially cost $1386. Most streetlight can be installed on already existing poles. The Tribe would pay for the installation and monthly fees associated with this and they considers the cost as “minimal cost to the Tribe”. Many community members spoke up in favor of this.
A community member requested street signs be made larger and easier to read. Road safety for pedestrians is another issue of importance and the Tribe requested community members talk to family members to encourage them to wear reflective clothing when walking on Akwesasne roads in the evening.
The Tribe formally announced the Elders Benefit will start distribution of benefits mid-summer. Registered Akwesasne elders living within a 15 mile radius and sixty-eight years and older will receive $200.00 from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
A three-year program for seniors age 68 and older would cost approximately $850,000. Revenues for this program would be generated from an increased room occupancy fee and a 4% increase on cash sales on food and items sold in the gift shop. In addition to increases at AMCR, major brand cigarette sales will increase by $2.00. Any deficit will be covered by the TGF and the Tribe patent allocation.
Registered Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe community members 68 years and older will need to apply in order to receive this benefit. A couple would receive the benefit individually as long each person meets all requirements.
A community member instrumental in calling for the Elders Benefit offered ‘thanks’ to the SRMT Chiefs and Sub Chiefs for the outcome.
Administrative planning for the dispensation of the Elders Benefit will begin immediately.
Community members had several questions about the “on-going investigation (fact finding) and evaluation of the correlation and relationship between the original Elders Benefit Group and the anonymous propaganda” – is the Tribe intending to bring charges against those being investigated, who is investigating and if resources are being spent on those who allegedly ‘slandered people’, money should be spent on the two Akwesasne murders which were never solved. A community member brought to attention the investigating firm being used are the same individuals (who were State police officers at the time) who allegedly harassed and abused Akwesasne men during the 1990 standoff.
Acting Emergency Measures Interim Director Derek Comins presented an update on the recent ice jams on the St. Regis River. Several options were discussed on future flooding.
Tsiorasa Barreiro offered ‘Thanks and Recognition for the outstanding work completed by the Water Crew; Shawn Martin, Jordan Lauzon, Plum Back and Teddy Buckshot. On Friday, January 12 the water crew worked well beyond their regular 8-hour shift in below freezing temps to provide clean water to Akwesasne residents. Thanks were also given to Mohawk Plumbing and Twinleaf Restaurants.
The Executive Director also announced there are spaces open for Akwesasne youth wanting to attend the Farm & Wilderness Summer Camp 2018. Several openings for youth ages 15 to 17 years old are still available. The camps are for tribal youth in different age groups and run three weeks in Plymouth, Vermont. Financial assistance is available. Applications can be accessed online at https://farmandwilderness.org/ or picked up at the receptionist desk in the Community Building lobby. Please return applications to the Executive Directors Office. If you have any questions, contact Lilly at (518) 358 - 2272 ext. 2294.
Dale White, Tribe Attorney reported on the process for ‘Residency Referendum’. He encourages all Akwesasne residents to attend future meeting. The consulting firm of Potsdam Institute for Applied Research at Potsdam College will conduct a residency survey in approximately eight weeks. The survey can be completed online, drop in (in person) and lastly, hold door-to-door interviews if needed.
Mohawks Networks Interim CEO Allyson Doctor formally announced their $10.9 million grant from New York State to improve Internet service in Franklin and Clinton Counties.
A community member stated, ‘we are giving Internet services to everyone all over, we should be getting the max – increase services of Akwesasne’. Thirty companies had applied for this grant and eighteen were selected to receive it. It was noted Mohawk Networks internet service isn’t always running at ‘max’ and Doctor stated Mohawk Networks wants to hear from community members in order to improve on all aspects of its networks. More information can be found in the SRMT’s press release; ‘Governor Cuomo Announces Empire State Development Phase 3 Broadband Grant Awards’ found in this issue and online at the SRMT website.
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