Reelected SRMT officials look forward to another term

By Kaniehtonkie

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe recently announced their unofficial ‘Special Tribal Election’ results with incumbent Michael Conners Jr retaining his seat as Tribal Chief. The election was held under COVID-19 restrictions set in place to help stop the spread of the virus. Normally SRMT elections are held in June of each year, with most candidates practicing robust door to door campaigning. In May the Tribe’s Election Board voted to postpone the election until July because of the COVID-19 virus.

The 2020 election was held on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on, and early voting was conducted on Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the former IGA Building on State Route 37.

Michael Conners Jr. received 482 votes over Herne Bell’s 155 votes.

Herne Bell, named a ‘community activist’ ran in 2016 against Beverly Cook. Her platform ran the much the same this year as they did in 2016; citing lack of transparency and misappropriation of Tribal funds. In 2016 Herne-Bell filed formal complaints and after an investigation, those complaints were found to be baseless.

Conner’s stood firm on the Tribal Council accomplishments of the purchase of 240 acres of land on State Route 37, implementation of the Elders Benefit Program, and approval of a $1 million donation to the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club.

Conners’ said his goals include working together with all of the Tribal Council to bring the land claims to the finish line stating, “We feel we were almost there in March when everything stopped moving. Hopefully, the State and County can restart their negotiation soon, then we can finalize.”

Another goal is to hold two referendums in the Fall of this year, one referendum for a recreational marijuana ordinance after our community approved it to move forward through the recreational marijuana referendum held last year. The second referendum is for the name change initiative to “Akwesasne Mohawk Tribe”, so that our name is, ‘inclusive to all Akwesasronon’. Conners also said another goal is to add 3 community members to the Tewathahon:ni Board, so that, ‘there is a balance between Council and community members’ (six and six after the new spots are added).

Agnes ‘Sweets Jacobs ran uncontested for Sub-Chief with severalwrite-in candidates at most, garnering 36 votes and some – a single vote. She secured her second three years term. Jacobs had a total of 572 votes.

Jacobs stated, “Sewakwekon, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude and also like to acknowledge the support of the community’s membership for my reelection. I will proudly serve another term on the community’s behalf. Niawen kowa. Sweets”

Micaelee Horn won Traffic Court Judge 2 with a total of 490 votes. Jerel Swamp withdrew his candidacy just days before the election, but not before early voting had taken place. No votes were counted for Swamp.

The 2020 SRMT election was originally scheduled to hold a referendum on a potential name change. The community was canvased earlier in the year for a possible name. The referendum for a name change will be held at a later date.

The SRMT Election Board Appeals process ends on Friday and until then, an inauguration date has not been set.