MOHAWK COUNCIL SIGNS NY STATE LAND CLAIM SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

For Immediate Release

Tsiothohrhkó:wa/January 6, 2025

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) is announcing that the final settlement agreement for the New York State Land Claim was signed by MCA on January 6, 2025. This historic milestone followed the approval of Mohawk Council Resolution (MCR) 2024-2025 #327 and marked the culmination of decades of community consultation, negotiations, and unwavering commitment to securing rights and benefits for Akwesasronon. Previous Council Members, including the most recent 2024-2027 Council, worked to address community concerns and questions regarding the claim’s terms, resource distribution, and overall impacts.

The claim, originally filed by the MCA in 1982, sought to recover Barnhart, Long Sault, and Croil Islands, all located within Akwesasne’s traditional territory. After 42 years of effort, including the consolidation of claims filed by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs (MNCC) in 1989, a final agreement has been reached. This marks the last New York State land claim, as subsequent claims were limited by the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation, which restricted tribes from unilaterally restoring lands to reservation status.

MCA Grand Chief Leonard Lazore expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that led to this achievement:
“We extend our deepest appreciation to the past and present technical support staff of the Akwesasne Rights and Research Office (ARRO), as well as current and former Council members, for their dedication and perseverance. Special niawen’kó:wa to the late Salli Benedict for her foundational work and invaluable contributions to ARRO and this claim. This settlement represents decades of hard work, and while challenging, it allows us to move forward with renewed focus and purpose for the future of Akwesasne.”

Key Benefits of the Settlement Agreement:

  • Free tuition and mandatory fees at State University of New York (SUNY) schools for all Akwesasronon who are accepted, regardless of residency.
  • The right to fish and gather on Barnhart, Croil, and Long Sault Islands, and to hunt and trap on these islands, with some restrictions on Barnhart.
  • 9 megawatts of low-cost power available for purchase by SRMT and MCA from the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
  • Restoration of several land areas to Akwesasne Territory, including the Hogansburg Triangle.
  • $70 million in payments over 35 years ($2 million annually) from NYPA, to be distributed among MCA, SRMT, and MNCC.

This settlement highlights Akwesasne’s commitment to preserving the rights and interests of its people, while fostering future growth and prosperity.

For more information or to address further questions, please contact the Akwesasne Rights & Research Office at arro@akwesasne.ca or 613-575-2250.

 

###

Related Posts