With the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzing the Akwesasne community for months, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) had to push back their 2020 election by nearly a month. However, even a pandemic didn’t seem to dampen election spirits – that is until recently.
Some call them “Trump like” tactics, while others say they are an expression of freedom of speech – but one organization said they were a misrepresentation of facts.
At first it was ‘Sign-Gate’…where did they come from and who did it? There is still no clear answer.
Signs — conveying short political statements, were erected at various spots throughout the community, capturing the attention of some but most particularly HAVFD. The volunteer fire brigade seemed to serve as the catalyst for one candidate’s campaign strategy. Ruth Bell, running for Tribal Chief, called out fellow candidate and former SRMT Chief Michael Conners.
“HAVFD is not an essential service? Thanks Michael, our heroes got zeros”. Actually, it was spelled a little differently than that but for proper grammatical reasons, — we’ll paraphrase. Several other signs carried similar messages, accusing Conners of giving HAVFD zero.
Within a day or so, the HAVFD responded with a statement which they released on their Facebook page; “Our job is to protect our homes and the precious lives of Akwesasronon, and through mutual aid, our surrounding neighbours. The HAVFD doesn’t get involved with politics and speaking on our behalf, without consulting us, is irresponsible. The HAVFD’s firefighters are voters, and we’ll vote for leadership who has the community’s best interest at heart.”
ATV reached out to both Conners and Bell for their reaction to the HAVFD statement and also to give each candidate an opportunity to provide some insight into these signs. We have left questions and responses ‘as is’ for our readers.
Michael Conners Jr. – candidate for SRMT Tribal Chief
Q1: Can we get a comment from you regarding your thoughts on the signs that have been directed towards you and have called you out?
“I was disappointed that the signs used my support of our youth to question both my and Council’s unending support of our Fire Department. Equally disappointing was that the signs inflated the Tewathahon:ni Board’s investment, an investment that has been rehashed many times in public meetings with the true figure disclosed, but not used in the sign. Disappointing that it was suggested that Council gave land to NYS when we are trying our hardest to reclaim land for our future generations of families. After seeing the questions, I was happy to set the facts straight and answer the signs both in my Facebook live the same night along with detailed answers to each sign on my Facebook page.”
Q2: What would you want voters to know before casting their vote this Saturday?
“I would like voters to vote for: fact-based analysis, decision making that considers our entire community rather than specific segments, positive investments in our present and future, the ability to make tough decisions when they are in front of us, the ability to work with others, the ability to disagree and move forward in a positive manner. That is what our community can expect from me if re-elected as Chief, and I ask for everyone’s support for our community’s present and future.”
Ruth Bell – candidate SRMT Tribal Chief
Q1: Do you stand by your statements made on your signs regarding Michael Conners? What is your reaction to the HAVFD press release?
“Firstly I had nothing to do with those signs. I was not consulted with putting any signs up. I became aware of the signs when I received a phone call Monday night asking me if I had seen the signs. Tuesday morning I went to St. Regis to place my order for the newspaper and that was the first time I saw the one at Eli’s corner. After returning from St. Regis, I went to see the one in front of Gabe’s. Of course after reading them I figured out where they came from. I confronted them and after a long discussion they offered to remove them. I did tell them no because I was sure I was going to be blamed for them and if they came down it would be conceived as a statement of admission. I am not “friends” with a lot of people on Facebook and I have only been “told” what people have been saying. All I can say is there seems to be a lot of discussion on both sides which I consider a good thing. If those signs get people talking and voting than I say maybe we should be thanking the people who placed them. I want to win but win or lose getting our people involved, I consider a good thing. For years I have had people approach me with complaints and I always tell them to please come to the meetings. However, time after time I would get told that they couldn’t do that because their sister, brother, mother, father or someone works for the Tribe and they would lose their jobs if they did that.”
Q1b: What is your reaction to the HAVFD press release? (ATV sent Bell the HAVFD statement because she stated she had not seen it).
“They are right it was irresponsible not consulting (Verifying) before they put those signs up and that was the first question I asked. They told me that they had a TCR showing that the fire dept’s funding was cut. Well like I said I was going to be blamed for the signs so if people didn’t ask me and just placed blame so be it.”
Q2: What would you want voters to know before placing their ballot in this weekend’s election?
“What I want the voters to know is that if they want their voices to be heard and not be kept in darkness until after the fact than they should vote Ruth Bell on Saturday.”
Despite some backlash from community members and the statement made by HAVFD regarding the signs, they still remain up.
ATV also investigated the claims that were made on the signs and most were ambiguous or unfounded. However, Conners has publicly responded to each of these signs and those responses can be found on his Facebook page.
The Vote Must Go On
SRMT elections are usually held the first week of June, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the SRMT election board to develop special safety procedures and protocols, in coordination with the tribe’s Emergency Operations Center, to ensure the health and well-being of voters.
A special election will be held this Saturday, July 11, 2020. Eligible tribal voters can cast their ballot starting at 9 a.m. at the old IGA building on Route 37. Polls close at 5 p.m.
Tribal Caucus was held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, and the official roster of candidates was issued by the election board after a vetting process that included a vigorous background check.
The official candidates are: Micaelee Horn — Traffic Court Judge 2. Originally Jerel Swamp was a candidate for this position but officially withdrew his name on July 9th, 2020.
Michael Conners Jr. and Ruth Bell for Tribal Chief, and Agnes Jacobs is running unopposed as Tribal Sub-Chief.
Early voting took place on Tuesday, July 7 & 8 at the former IGA Building. In-home voting took place on Friday, July 10th..
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Election Board includes; Hope Wheelock, Chair; Kyrie Ransom, Rudy Hart, Francis Jacobs-Phelix and Genehtata Davey.
By: Regan Jacobs
