SRMT monthly meeting highlights progress and positive developments in Akwesasne

With roughly 35 people in attendance at the June monthly community meeting, which was held in the SRMT’s Community Building, and chaired by Tribal Chief Beverly Cook, a full agenda was on the schedule and no time was wasted.

At most community meetings, a number of action items are requested for Tribal Council to explore, and in the past several months, the matter of the 1990 Cold Case Murders in Akwesasne have resurfaced and an appeal was made to investigate further. On May 17^th, members of Tribal Council met with the New York State Police(NYSP), and their Violent Crime Investigation Team’s Senior Investigator.  The NYSP reported they did not have any files on the 1990 cases.

The 1990 Cold Case Murders are in reference to the unsolved deaths of two Mohawk men, Matt Pyke and Junior Edwards. According to reports, the two were killed during a ‘stand-off’ which took place on both the American and Canadian sides of the territory, over the ‘un-regulated casino operations’ in Akwesasne. The cases remain unsolved.

If the community has any information or further questions, they can contact the NYSP Senior Investigator at: Desk: 518-897-2042; Cell: 518-312-8599; Email: John.Donahue@troopers.ny.gov

Another action item that has come up several times, is to have Tribal Council report on the March Tribal Meeting, which brought about a motion from the floor — “Tribal Council to enact in 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.”  This is still on-going.

In keeping with actions items, a community member requested that Tribal Council find out where all the money is going in New York State from the Casino and exploring the Compact. Dale White, SRMT General Counsel, provided an update to the community.
“In 2015, revenue share to New York State was $20Million, and the money goes to NYS then they distribute it to Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. In 2015, $2.5 Million went to both Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. Everything except 10% of the revenue share goes to the New York State General Fund,” stated Dale White. Community members were concerned with the agreement between the SRMT and NYS, and when that might end. White stated that, “Our agreement with New York State goes on in perpetuity, whereas the Seneca had a 14-year term.” The 2005 agreement with the Tribe and State gives the SRMT exclusivity for Indian Gaming in the state.

The meeting continued with several interesting and important topics being addressed.

Teen Artist wins second in National Art Contest

14-year-old Jade Jackson was honoured at this month’s community meeting. Johnson O’Malley (JOM), Program Manager, Samantha Phillips, recognized Jackson who had recently entered a National Art Contest, and was awarded second place.  A letter of congratulations was sent to the JOM Program informing them of Jackson’s award in this National Art Contest.  Chief Beverly Cook congratulated Jackson, and said, “that’s a big deal to be brave enough to submit art work, and be critiqued.  We are really proud of you!”  Jackson was given an award certificate and a $200 prize for her submission.

Governor Cuomo’s “Excelsior Scholarship” available to Akwesasne students

The Excelsior Scholarship was designed to offer students an option for free tuition, to any SUNY Schools in the state, including community colleges such as NCCC.

Director of Education,Stephanie Cook, and Rod Cook, Program Manager of the Higher Education Program, provided an overview of the newly introduced Excelsior Scholarship, the first of its kind to be offered in the State of New York.  Designed by NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Excelsior Scholarship program offers an option for tuition payment to students who have the need for it.  Rod Cook stated that, “The Excelsior Scholarship will bridge any gaps for tuition only, up to $5,500.  Room and board, fees, books, and miscellaneous expenses are not included.  80% of our students will not qualify, because they already receive full TAP and PELL funding awards.  We currently have 165 SUNY Students.”

Students must maintain: 30 credit hours per year, maintenance of good grades, and must be on track to an Associates and/or Bachelor Degree.  The student must also live and work in New York State for one year for each year that the Excelsior Scholarship is awarded.  If that cannot be done, the scholarship will then become a zero-interest loan for the student.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Education Department will be hosting a discussion on June 19^th at 6pm at the Community Building to provide any information necessary to community members.  Topics to be discussed will be eligibility, process and procedure, and any other questions or concerns from the community.

Elders Benefit Working Group says its working on reasonable options

The SRMT Elder’s Benefit Working Group meets weekly for one hour, or more if required. The working group is looking to find realistic and reasonable options for this program, while protecting essential services that benefit the entire community of Akwesasne.

Currently the Elders Benefit Working Group is gathering information in order to understand the existing programs and services provided to elders currently, as well as the financial status of the SRMT and its different revenue streams that support its operation. Based on information gathered, a discussion has started on options to fund the Elders Benefit in a sustainable manner that doesn’t take away from existing services.’

Office for the Aging says they’re “More than just Bingo” — in need of Volunteers

Program Manager for the Office for the Aging, Loralee LaFrance, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, “More than Just Bingo,” to show the community the wide array of services that are offered, who can qualify, funding sources, and current challenges faced. The mission of the SRMT Office for the Aging is “to provide excellent service to seniors by promoting: health, happiness, an active lifestyle, engagement, independence, and long life.”

A Tribal member that is 18 and over that is a caregiver can use services through our Caregiver Support Program. Disabled individuals, from newborn to elders are also eligible for our services,” stated LaFrance. “Our seniors center is not just for elders from their 60’s to 80’s; disabled, under targeted age, we will make referrals for you and will help. We won’t leave anyone hanging.”

The program has a staff of 17 that are service providers at the center, at elder’s homes, and also provide training and presentations to the community. “Akwesasne has 1,349 elders needing services, which is about 90 people per staff member. So, we’re starting a volunteer program, because depression and loneliness are a huge problem in the community.”

The Office for the Aging is also seeking out board representatives, including a VA representative, and a caregiver representative from the community. “We need people to help us advocate, because people need these services. We don’t want to start losing programs,” stated LaFrance. The Health Insurance Counseling Program is being threatened to be cut entirely. The next board advisory meeting is July 15th at the Senior’s Center.

Project Good Mind has a plan for the Restoration of Peace, Pride, and Unity within Akwesasne

A presentation by Project Good Mind was provided to the community by Shannon Hall and Kimberly Terrance, who are the founders of this call to action for Akwesasronon.  Project Good Mind started in September 2015, with a goal to restore peace, pride, and unity within the community of Akwesasne.  “In order to restore peace, pride, and unity is to strengthen our identities as Onkwehonwe.  We want to create tools and resources that we can give out to the community for free, in order to be able to do that,” stated Shannon Hall.  “Our call to action is a lot about restoring the principle of the good mind.  So what we know is that a lot of people, because they are not aware of the culture, and we also believe that the economics, education, government, and politics continue to separate us; so culture should be the foundation from which we grow, because we are all Mohawk at the end of the day.”

Project Good Mind leaders, Shannon Hall and Kimberly Terrance, are reaching out to organizations now to gain a farther reach to the community of Akwesasne, believing that “Project Good Mind believes in the strengths, abilities, and gifts every individual has to offer in contributing to a strong and unified community.” (Project Good Mind Resource, pt.1)

During the community meeting, Hall and Terrance handed out wampum beads to each person willing to fill out an information card, which is solely used by the project to distribute materials.

Fixing local roads among priorities for SRMT’s Planning & Infrastructure

Ernie Thompson, Director of Planning & Infrastructure, along with Brent Herne, Construction Manager, provided an update on the roads, and a timeline of what roads are on the list to be fixed.  A community member requested that SRMT engage with MCA on the costs of road repairs, replacement, and maintenance, since all community members require use of the same roads to move throughout the districts of Akwesasne.

The priority list for roads to be replaced include: P&I Building, River Rd., Cook Farm Rd., Helena Rd., Frogtown Rd., Tarbell Rd., Pump House Rd., Garrow Rd., Solomon Rd., P&I Access Parking, P&I Access Stockyard, Mose Cook Rd., Business Park Rd., Beaver Meadow Rd., Arquette Circle., and Louie Conners Rd.  “It will be at least 2-3 years before the first four are done,” stated Herne.  “River Rd. is set to be done 2017/2018 Cook Farm Rd. 2017/2018; Helena Rd. 2018; and Frogtown Rd. 2018/2019, funding dependent.”

Other Action Items from June Monthly meeting. Community member requested information on the future plans for the former IGA building.  Ongoing.

• New Business

New business brought to Tribal Council at the June 2017 monthly meeting include:

• A request was made to find out how many senior’s need services from the SRMT Office for the Aging;
• A request was made asking Tribal Council to meet with MCA in regards to road repairs, replacement, and maintenance.

BY: Ohseraseia:hawi

Assisted and copy edit by: Regan Jacobs

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