Community meeting honours education and overcoming adversity — “Some kids who go to bed with no one there, or wake up with no one to cook them breakfast, the kids who are taking care of their younger siblings, or who are struggling with learning disabilities are the kids who deserve acknowledgement,” stated Chief Cook.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Monthly Meeting was held on June 11th, 2016 at the community building, chaired by Tribal Chief Beverly Cook.  The action items from the May Monthly Tribal Meeting were read by the SRM Tribal Clerk, which were as follows:

* A PA system was requested for the meeting held at the Seniors Center regarding drug issues and detox center.  A PA system will be provided.

* A request for information on the ownership of the former Bingo Palace parking lot.  The legal department is currently working on this, and an update will be provided.

Following the reading of the action items, Chief Beverly Cook acknowledged all the young children, youth, as well as elders who’ve furthered their education, especially the youth facing the many overlooked challenges of their everyday lives.  “Some kids who go to bed with no one there, or wake up with no one to cook them breakfast, the kids who are taking care of their younger siblings, or who are struggling with learning disabilities are the kids who deserve acknowledgement,” stated Chief Cook.  “On behalf of Tribal Council we recognize all those kids that face these barriers and adversity.”  A community call out was sent out to Akwesasronon to get a list of those individuals deserving of this acknowledgement, and a list was compiled and read off by the Director of Education, Stephanie Cook.  Cook read each certificate as each one was unique to the individual receiving these awards.  Cook handed out certificates and gift cards to the following youth:

* Zachary Smith * Waylon Square * Morgan Phelix * McKenzie Phelix * Sequoia Fuller * Noah Bero * Addison Tarbell * Jacob Bero * Collin Benedict * Hattie Laffin Almond

These students were recognized and honored for an array of achievements such as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, National Honor Society, Akwesasne Youth Council Members, Community Volunteer work, Commitment to Dance Education, Acceptance to Various Colleges, Universities, Internships, Programs, and mentorships.

In addition to recognizing these youth for their hard work and dedication to their community and education, a list of 27 tribal members recently earning Bachelors, Masters, and PhD’s.  Chief Cook noted that there were about 40 students inducted into the Mohawk School Jr. Honor Society.  Congratulations to all outstanding Akwesasronon recognized.

Recognition of achievements was followed up with the introduction of new SRMT staff members, including the new Director of SRMT Social Services Division, Jade White.  Ms. White has worked within the Social Services Division at SRMT for that past seven years, in and around the capacity of Director and Commissioner, and has developed the Family Advocacy Program.  “Thanks to Tribal Council and administration for the warm welcome back, and in this new role I have to thank my family and friends, without their unconditional support I wouldn’t be able to fill this role.  I am lucky to have a devoted staff and it’s truly an honor to be in their presence,” stated White.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has hired a new CFO, Michael Garrow.  Garrow has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California-Berkeley, as well as a number of years in and around Indian Gaming capacities with tribes from all over the United States.  “Mohawks are well known for being leaders,” stated Garrow, “and I believe it’s important to recognize the foundations made by our ancestors.  I am looking forward to working with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, my home.”

The SRMT has also introduced their *new General Council, Dale White.  White has a Juris Degree from Cornell Law School, and has been a practicing lawyer for 36 years.  Including White, there are two staff attorneys at SRMT.  White stated, “Our goal is to build general council offices that have full time salaried lawyers, and try to limit where we can, but conscious of the need to conserve the Tribe’s financial resources.  It can be a challenge at times, but I’m dedicated to accomplishing the true goal with council support to give the best legal counsel we can and serve the community’s needs.”

Chief Eric Thompson made an announcement about the SRMT Agriculture Program, introducing the manager for the pilot program, Wallace Ransom.  Chief Thompson attended conferences on the Food Sovereignty Movement to see what other nations have done, and was impressed by the breath of the projects included from growing beef cattle, to harvesting salmon, to community gardens.  “I spent a great length of my childhood in the garden, and it helped me appreciate life and hard work.  The fact that it’s a dwindling area in Akwesasne is sad.  We should be teaching our kids what hard work is, and that agriculture is a great thing, and that there are career paths there,” said Thompson.  It has taken a few years to acquire funds for this pilot project, and funds were acquired for a three year pilot project.  This pilot program began on March 28th, 2016, and its mission statement reads as follows:

* “To stimulate interest in consuming naturally grown foods and to awaken the spirit of producing healthy food in Akwesasne.”

Wallace Ransom introduced the program details, and the first projects to be implemented by the SRMT Agriculture Program.  The first project implemented is tilling services offered to the community, where families interested in starting a garden can call environment and request help tilling their location.  A  John Deere tractor was donated by the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, making this project possible.  “It’s a start,” stated Ransom, “and we hope to expand, possibly provide soil testing, and to help people who’re already growing.”  Ransom reiterated that the tribe does not want to produce food, but rather to help the community in growing their own food.

The second project to be implemented involves youth raising egg producing chickens that will in turn be marketed to the community of Akwesasne, allowing these youth an opportunity at responsibility and entrepreneurship.  Ten students from the JOM program will be selected and trained in July 2016, on how to raise chickens, the production of organic eggs and all that it entails.  One-thousand chickens (Brown Egg Layer/Red Star chickens) have been purchased, which are the most productive chickens, and each student will be raising 100.  The program not only will provide the training to these youth, but will also build a chicken coop on their property, as well as all providing feed.  Each student will be responsible for care of these chickens as well as the collection of eggs.  Once a brand is developed, these eggs will be marketed to the community, giving the students the opportunity to earn money depending on how much they are able to sell.

The third project to be implemented is the revitalization of productive farming lands in Akwesasne, to try and get them turned over and back into production.  Some land about a half mile onto Route 95 has already been brush hogged and turned over to get the process started.  At this point he SRMT Agriculture Program is unsure of what they’d be growing, but are considering buckwheat or winter rye, which can be fast growing/producing plants, and late harvests.

Community members asked questions and raised concerns over a range of issues such as wondering if the DEC (Dept. of Environmental Conservation) may have been contacted in regards to soil testing and the safety of utilization of these farm lands for food production; questioning whether or not there will be a farmers market established or if the eggs will be marketed at local Akwesasne stores; which land areas will be taken into consideration; beaver issues and the impact their damming has taken on former farming lands; as well as the issue of SRMT Environment deeming former farm lands as protected wet lands due to beaver damming.  One community member stated, “Environment needs to determine whose side they’re on, ours or the beavers,” in regards to many community members loss of farm lands, thus leaving them ineligible to participate in this agricultural program.  All questions asked were addressed, or will be investigated and addressed at a later date.

An update was provided on the waterline progress by SRMT Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Ernie Thompson.  At this point there has been 9,160 feet of 8” main line installed, 12 new 8” gate valves, 2 new 6” gate valves, 14 new fire hydrants, 1,500 feet of ¾” service line, and 900 feet of 1” service line installed.  A brief history of the waterline system was given, informing the community that the majority of the lines west of the St. Regis river were installed 40 years ago in 1976, and the issues leading up to the replacement of these lines.  There is about 18-19 thousand feet of waterline needing replacement.  There have been a few problems along the way, mainly waterline bursts, but the project is making sufficient progress.  This project should be clear of Route 37, turning on to Rooseveltown Rd. in about three weeks.

June 13th, 2016 Tribal Chief’s Beverly Cook, Eric Thompson, and Tribal Sub-Chief Michael Connors will attend the 2016 NIGA Legislative Summit & Environmental Justice Roundtable in Washington, DC.

New business concluded the June Monthly Tribal Meeting, starting with a motion to appoint Heather Rene Hart to the SRMT Election Board, made by Ruth Herne-Bell, seconded by Lois Thomas.  The motion was accepted and will be taken into Tribal session for consideration.  The second new business request is a request for a New York State analysis of the education system, from the NYS Director of Education, due to the 90% of the Salmon River Central Jr. High students failing, and the fact that SRC is one of the focus schools of NYS.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe encourages all tribal members to attend their monthly meetings.  The July Tribal monthly meeting will be announced on or after June 22nd, 2016.

BY: Ohseraséia:hawi