SRMT June Monthly Meeting Rundown

By Isaac White.

The SRMT June monthly meeting began with a review of prior action items, focusing primarily on the advancement of the senior benefit program. Key focus areas included follow-ups and the evaluation of a significant survey conducted among elder beneficiaries.

The primary feedback from the survey indicated a preference among the majority of respondents for the benefit distribution to take place twice a year.

It is important to note that any proposed changes to the current program will only come into effect in 2024. Furthermore, these changes are dependent on amendments to the program’s policy and in compliance with the resolution TCR 2022-02. As such, all proposed alterations are being assessed within the framework of these guidelines.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) provided a review, at the request of community members of the substantial financial aid received through U.S. federal initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribe was a significant recipient of two substantial funding packages. Firstly, a grant of $101,273,081 was awarded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In addition, the SRMT also received $26,785,859 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The SRMT held a presentation during the Tribal Meeting held on April 1, 2023. For those members of the Tribe who could not attend the meeting, or for those who wish to review the details at their leisure, all presentation materials have been uploaded to the Tribal Members portal. The SRMT made the 2021 Audited Financial Statements accessible upon request to the Records Department.

The Tribal Council responded to allegations raised last month questioning the legitimacy of the Tribal Court. These claims, which had caused considerable discussion among community members, were addressed in a decisive manner by the Council.

Tribal Council affirmed their belief the court’s origination is valid. Their examination highlighted that the foundation of the court was not contingent upon its association with the constitutional government in Akwesasne. Instead, the court was founded in a manner, according to the report, founded in the three-chief system.

Despite the Council’s explicit support for the legitimacy of the Tribal Court, it refrained from directly addressing specific complaints made by another community member at the May monthly meeting. These complaints, which were also centered around the Tribal Court, did not receive a targeted response.

The reasons for the Council’s decision not to respond directly to those specific complaints remain unclear. Whether the Council views the complaints as already addressed through their general affirmation of the court’s legitimacy or whether further investigation is needed before a response can be given is yet to be determined.

Emma Phillips, Agriculture Program Manager, recently shared promising updates regarding the future of food sovereignty in Akwesasne. The USDA’s Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat program has ushered in new possibilities that could transform how our community sources its food.

This program potentially offers funding opportunities that could facilitate the establishment of a local meat processing facility. Such a development would allow a wide range of livestock and wild game, including cows, pigs, chickens, moose, buffalo, and others, to be butchered and processed right here in Akwesasne.

Implementing this would benefit Akwesasronon, who currently have limited options for processing their meat locally. Creating an in-house facility would streamline the process, keeping it entirely within our Akwesasne community.

In addition to these exciting prospects, Phillips provided an update on the farm’s ongoing projects. Notably, the Tribal Farm is in the process of replenishing its stock of laying hens, which are aging and in need of replacement to maintain egg production levels.

This continuous endeavor is crucial to the community as the farm’s eggs supply numerous stores within Akwesasne and beyond the territory.

Through these endeavors, the effort to reinforce food sovereignty as a movement in Akwesasne, support local food production, and maintain self-sustainability is key. Phillips’ update offers a glimpse into a promising future for self-sustainable food production in Akwesasne.