Proposed Elders Benefit Could Cause Ripple Effect Throughout Tribal Programs– “At this point, the Elders Benefit does not have set criterion, nor does it have an outlined financial plan.”

November 28, 2016- Akwesasne, NY- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is holding a referendum on Saturday, December 3, 2016 in the lobby of the Community Building on the proposed questions regarding Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp.  A community member’s petition has resulted in the Tribe’s Election Board adding a third question to the ballot: “Do you support a $200 monthly benefit to be paid to tribally enrolled American resident Elders 62 years old and older within the 15 mile radius, which is the established guidelines of the SRMT, for achieving and/or maintaining financial stability for their health, education and welfare?”

The idea of an Elder’s Benefit came about three years ago, when a group of 9 people got together and discussed their commonalities and hardships, as well as the state of the elders in the community.  Some elders were having trouble making ends meet, in taking care of their responsibilities and needs.  Community members previously brought the idea of an Elders Benefit to Tribal Council for a referendum however, the Tribal Procedures Act that was ratified by tribal members necessitated a petition be presented to the Tribal Clerk and signed by five percent (5%) of eligible tribal voters.

The Tribal Council shared with the group that the Tribal Procedures Act provides a mechanism for members to initiate referendums in accordance with its provisions. For questions on issues that affect the community, members must obtain the valid signatures of eligible voters. The petition is then registered with the Tribal Clerk, who shall verify the validity of signatures. When deemed valid, the petition is then presented to the Election Board for conducting a tribal referendum, without the involvement of the Tribal Council.

The Elders Benefit was brought to the table to be comparable to the fuel allotment program that tribally enrolled members currently receive, which is untaxable and paid for by the Tribal General Fund.  The fuel allotment remains untaxable due to the fact that it is a benefit program paid directly to the distributor or vendor, not the individual tribal member.  The SRMT Tribal fuel allotment serves roughly 1,500 homes each year.
SRMT General Counsel Dale White explained the different criteria for a program to be considered for tax exemption. “There are six different elements to a program that delivers services, or payment, to tribal members, that all of them have to be meet before its considered tax exempt.  That’s why it says “possibly”, it doesn’t say “yes” it will be tax exempt, it says it has to meet the needed criteria.  Your referendum question is a vote for a $200 check to be issued to everybody who is 62 years or older, regardless whether they meet any criteria.”

The Elders Benefit does not have a set of listed criteria at this time and will not be income based.  All tribally enrolled members 62 years of age and older would receive this per cap payment, regardless of income need.  This benefit would initially cost the SRMT upwards of $2.6 Million for the first year and increase at least nine percent (9% or $234,000) with each year.

Ruth Bell, an Elders Benefit Committee Member stated that, “When we approached Tribal Council, we came with a plan, and we said we knew there had to be critiques made, other than what we were just saying.  We said we would want a board established, and right away, it was Chief Ron LaFrance, right away he told us that “Tribal Council would decide the board, they would make the appointments to the board, they would decide how its run.”  Well that took it right out of our hands!  What input we gave, we were basically told it didn’t matter; we weren’t going to have control of that.  That’s why this [referendum question] reads the way it does.”

Bell went on to say that, “Yes, there needs to be further explanation. We did this because Tribal Council would not listen to us, they would not negotiate with us.  They point blank just said, “No.  We got no money, you can’t have it.” That’s why we had to go out and get the referendum.  We had to go this route because they knocked us right down.”

The final meeting for information regarding the Elders Benefit took place Monday, November 28^th at 5pm in the lobby of the Community Building.  Tsiorasa Barreiro, SRMT Executive Director; Dale White, SRMT General Counsel; and Michael Garrow, SRMT CFO; were in attendance at this informational meeting and graciously provided backup information in regards to any community member’s questions.  The Elders Benefit Committee Members blasted against Tribal Council and individual staff in regards to annual budgets, expenditures, policies, procedures, and legalities of the proposed referendum question, as well as other unrelated projects.

SRMT CFO Michael Garrow explained to the community members in attendance the SRMT savings and answered annual budget questions, which the Draft 2017 Annual Tribal Budget was presented in a separate public meeting held on November 15^th that was not attended by any members of the Elders Benefit Committee.  “As I’ve come in here, the new CFO in April, I looked at where the money was that we can turn to.  Because to me, if were talking about a per capita, which is what this is, let’s just call it what it is; we’re not a Tribe that has millions of dollars, like Southern Utes or other tribes that have per capita.  So, if you spend that $3 Million because you want to do a one-time distribution of something, and leave the Tribe exposed in all these other areas, and then there’s nothing.  We’re talking about fiscal responsibility.  Yeah, we’d love to give money out, but we don’t have it here.  This is Akwesasne.  This isn’t Connecticut, this isn’t California tribes; we have many many members.”

The proposed referendum question has raised a few questions, and undoubtedly a few eyebrows; so here are some facts of the Elders Benefit that may provide guidance to what you will be voting for; please keep in mind that the statistical data provided does not factor in death or other probabilities.

IF the Elders Benefit program is approved and initiated:

• The Elders Benefit would pay out $200 per month to each elder 62 years of age and older; regardless of their income need.
• The Elders Benefit would serve roughly 1,082 elders in 2017; 1,187 elders in 2018; and 1,296 elders in 2019.
• The first year cost of this program would be about $2.6 Million dollars; and would increase about 9% annually, or about $234,000 per year.
• The funding would come out of the Tribal General Funds (TGF).The majority of these funds come from gaming revenue generated by the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort; with some collected from tobacco fees, alcohol fees, petroleum fees, and miscellaneous revenues such as fines or fees.
• This Elder’s Benefit has the possibility of being taxed, if it is considered a “per capita payment” of tribal gaming revenue, as it will be mainly funded through the Tribes gaming revenue; meaning this payment could be subject to federal income taxation.
• IF taxable, the Elder’s Benefit would affect/impact other non-tribal benefits and services that one may currently receive such as: Social Security, Food Snaps, LIHEAP, and other low-income housing and/or rentals.
• There are over 200 essential tribal programs supported by TGF that would be directly affected; which include: Health Services, Seniors Center, Diabetes Center, Education, Law Enforcement and other tribal services that benefit all members.
• Annual Community Contributions that would be directly affected include: the Winter Fuel Allotment, Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club, Akwesasne Freedom School, Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Dept., Ambulance Services, Snowsuit Fund, and the Akwesasne Holiday Helpers.

While it is a great thing to help out our elders, this Elders Benefit also outlines many programs that it would be doing a disservice to.  At this point, the Elders Benefit does not have set criterion, nor does it have an outlined financial plan.

Currently, there are roughly 30 Tribal programs and services that directly benefit elders, which are all funded through Tribal General Funds.  Programs and Services include: Seniors Center Activities, Home Delivered & Congregate Meals, Elder In-Home Care, Elder Handyman Services, Snow Plow/Lawn Maintenance for Homebound Elders, Elder Shopping Transportation, Nutrition Counseling, Tax Preparation Assistance, Chronic Care/Outreach, Home Health Aide, Wound Care, Medical Appointment Transportation, Home Improvement Program, Handicapped Accessibility- Ramps/Railings; Winter Fuel Allotment, Elders Electricity Assistance Pilot Project, Seniors Furnace Cleaning & Servicing, Food Distribution Program, Disability Services, Family Advocate, Emergency Intervention, Adult Protective Services, Hazardous Tree Removal, Law Enforcement- Well Checks, Tribal EMS, Health Services, Diabetes Center, Generations Park & Walking Trail, and the Akwesasne Library & Cultural Center.

The referendum voting will take place on Saturday, Tsiothohrha/December 3, 2016; from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Tribal Community Building.  All Tribal Members are strongly encouraged to cast their vote and to make an informed decision.
Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the Tribal Clerks Office, and must be returned no later than Saturday, December 3^rd, at Noon (12:00 p.m.).  Walk-in voting will take place November 29^th and 30^th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each night in the lobby of the Tribal Community Building.

Home-bound voters may request home voting by contacting Election Board Member Hope Wheelock at (518) 358-9439.  In-home voting will be held on December 2^nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Anyone who is unsure of their voting eligibility may check their voting status with the Tribal Clerk’s Office, prior to 4:00 p.m. on December 2, 2016; or by calling (518) 358-2272.

BY: Ohseraseia:hawi