New York Tribe’s Land To Be Returned, Utility Usage Payments From Local Power Company, Tuition Discounts For Tribe Members: Gov Hochul Reaches Settlement With St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Councils
Editor’s note: A few years back, the USDA and Department of the Interior created a tribal initiative to form co-stewardship of public lands and waterways.
GILLIBRAND INTRODUCES BILL TO CONFIRM SAINT REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE LAND CLAIM SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
New York, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation to authorize, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, Franklin County, St. Lawrence County, the Town of Fort Covington, the Town of Bombay, and the New York Power Authority to resolve the decades-old Akwesasne Mohawk land claim.
In September, Governor Hochul announced that New York State had reached a settlement agreement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, bringing an end to a decades-long dispute that first commenced in 1982. This agreement is a major step in righting historic wrongs after years of perseverance and determination from Akwesasne Mohawk leaders.
“The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Akwesasne have long sought justice and the return of their rightful land,” said Senator Gillibrand. “After decades of unceasing advocacy from tribal leaders, I am grateful to partner with the Tribe and Governor Hochul to finalize the agreement through Congress and return thousands of acres of land to the Tribe. I will continue to remain a committed partner to Native communities across our state.”
“The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council extends heartfelt thanks to Senator Gillibrand for championing the Senate version of legislation to resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk land claim in New York. This milestone represents the culmination of more than forty years of determination and advocacy by Akwesasne leaders. Securing the return of our land has been our unwavering goal, and today we honor the perseverance and courage of all who have worked tirelessly since the inception of this claim to make this settlement possible. We look forward to seeing this historic effort move through the Senate and toward final approval,” said the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council.
“New York has always served as a beacon of hope not just in the United States but to those who arrive from all around the world,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “While we take pride in that, it’s also critically important that we acknowledge with honesty and a sense of reconciliation, accountability, and healing that our history is a complicated one. It’s why I am grateful that New York State and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe were able to reach an agreement that does just that. This settlement is a further testament to what we can achieve when we lead with justice and a spirit of reconciliation. As Governor, I am committed to taking the necessary steps to restore relations and return these thousands of acres to the Tribe. I am thankful to Senator Gillibrand for introducing legislation to authorize, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement so we can ensure a future of healing and strengthening our bond with all Indigenous Peoples across our State.”
The agreement settled disputes over land in addition to power usage, education benefits, and access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault, and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River:
Restores Land Rights
- The agreement returns approximately 9,200 acres in Franklin County and 3,200 acres in St. Lawrence County to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, with an immediate restoration of 3,400 acres in Franklin County and 1,300 acres in St. Lawrence County.
- New York will make recurring payments of $2 million annually to Franklin County with an additional $1 million annual payment to Franklin County out of money received from the exclusivity payment, and a $4 million annual payment to St. Lawrence County out of money received from the exclusivity payment.
- The agreement will establish a process for Akwesasne Mohawks to convert certain parcels to Indian Land should the right conditions be met.
Improves Access to Education
- New York State will waive the tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight full-time semesters for any enrolled Akwesasne Mohawk at any State University of New York (SUNY) facility or community college.
- Ensures that members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe applying to Cornell University or Alfred University will receive a reduction equivalent to the SUNY undergraduate resident tuition rate.
Establishes Payments for Power Usage
- Included payments of $2 million every year from the New York Power Authority to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe for 35 years, totaling $70 million.
- The New York Power Authority will provide the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe with up to 9 megawatt hours of lowest cost power that can be used to grow the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s economy or by members for personal use.
- The power provided cannot be resold on the open market and can only be transmitted into Canada if the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne obtains all the necessary permits and approvals.
Improves Access to Land
- Affirms that the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe can access the islands of Croil, Long Sault, and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River for hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering with certain limited restrictions.
- Also affirms the waived fees for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe to use the boat launch at Robert Moses State Park – Thousand Islands.
- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has the right of first refusal if New York State ever wishes to alienate any of the islands.
Returns Land Back to Tribal Control With Payments From the New York Power Authority For Use of the Land and Access to Power
Ends Litigation That First Commenced in 1982; Includes Restoration of Islands Access Along St. Lawrence River to Akwesasne Mohawks as Well as Tuition Assistance to SUNY Facilities and Community Colleges
Continues Governor’s Commitment To Strengthen and Restore Relationships With Indigenous Peoples Across New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has reached a settlement agreement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, bringing an end to a decades-long dispute that first commenced in 1982 over litigation regarding land purchases. The agreement includes land restitution to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe — approximately 9,500 acres in Franklin County and 4,800 acres in St. Lawrence County — in addition to payments from the New York Power Authority for use of the land and the provision of power. The settlement also included tuition assistance for tribal members to SUNY facilities and community colleges, and restored access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River.
“In order to pave a way forward, we must acknowledge the mistakes of the past — and I am grateful that the agreement between New York State and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has allowed us to do just that,” Governor Hochul said. “While New York’s history was stained with a tragic history, its future will be of justice, reconciliation, accountability and healing — as Governor, I am committed to supporting all Indigenous Peoples in our State and taking the necessary steps to strengthen and restore relations with the State.”
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council said, “Our land claim has spanned approximately 43 years. Getting our land back has been a goal of ours and our ancestors — we would not be here without the perseverance and courage from everyone who worked on the claim and negotiations since 1982. The Settlement is not perfect, as it does not restore all Mohawk lands that we historically lost. However, the settlement provides us the opportunity to add, restore, and acquire lands, as well as to remove property taxes, provide funding for Akwesasne Mohawk students at SUNY, in addition to acquiring power at a preferred rate.”
Settlement Agreement With the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
The agreement settled disputes over land in addition to power usage, education benefits, and access to the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River.
Restoring Land Rights:
- Disputed land in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties will become Indian Land upon the effective date of the Settlement Agreement. Approximately 9,200 acres in Franklin County and 3,200 acres in St. Lawrence County will be returned to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT), with an immediate restoration of 3,400 acres in Franklin County and 1,300 acres in St. Lawrence County
- The State will make recurring payments: a $2 million annual payment to Franklin County — with an additional $1 million annual payment to Franklin County out of money received from the exclusivity payment — and a $4 million annual payment to St. Lawrence County out of money received from the exclusivity payment
- The agreement will establish a process for Akwesasne Mohawks to convert certain parcels to Indian Land should the right conditions be met
Power Usage and Payments:
- The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will pay SRMT $2 million every year for 35 years, totaling $70 million
- NYPA will provide SRMT with up to 9 mWh of lowest cost power that can be used to grow the SRMT’s economy or by members for personal use. The power provided cannot be resold on the open market and can only be transmitted into Canada if the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne obtains all the necessary permits and approvals
Access to Education:
- The State will waive tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight full-time semesters for any enrolled Akwesasne Mohawk at any SUNY facility or community college
- Members of the SRMT applying to Cornell or Alfred will receive a reduction equivalent to the SUNY undergraduate resident tuition rate
- An income requirement is not attached to these benefits
Access to Land:
- The SRMT can access the islands of Croil, Long Sault and Barnhart on the St. Lawrence River for hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering with certain limited restrictions. Hunting standards for the SRMT will be equal to, or more stringent than, regulations for licensed hunters in New York State
- No fees will be issued for the SRMT to use the boat launch at Robert Moses State Park – Thousand Islands
- The SRMT can conduct environmental monitoring on the islands with the provision of at least 10 days advanced notice to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and no damage during the monitoring period
- The SRMT has a right of first refusal if the State ever wishes to alienate any of the islands
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Akwesasne have long sought justice and the return of their rightful land,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m so grateful that, after decades of unceasing advocacy from tribal leaders, Governor Hochul has signed the agreement to return thousands of acres to the Tribe. I will continue working to ensure this agreement is ratified by Congress and remain a committed partner to Native communities across our state.”
Assemblymember Billy Jones said, “Although I’ve been involved with the land claim settlement discussions for over 15 years, most of the credit goes to the Franklin County legislators past and present, the County Managers, the town officials, and the members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe who worked tirelessly to come to this agreement. I have been involved in these talks since my time as chair of the Franklin County Legislature, so I know firsthand how challenging it was to get to this point. After years of tedious negotiations, this agreement ensures a fair settlement for all parties. I want to thank the Governor and everyone involved for finalizing this important and historic agreement.”
Franklin County Board of Legislators Chair Ed Lockwood said, “After decades of negotiations among Franklin County, the Mohawk Tribe, and the State of New York, the three parties have reached a consensus to advance the final Land Claim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Federal Government for review and approval. Franklin County, along with representatives from the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington, has worked diligently and collaboratively to help bring this agreement to fruition. On behalf of the Franklin County Legislature, we look forward to the finalization of the Land Claim Agreement and the opportunities it represents for all parties involved.”
St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair David Forsythe said, “This Settlement will provide the opportunity to return land to the Tribe while improving opportunities for the surrounding counties of Franklin and St. Lawrence. This litigation has been active for over 43 years and concludes with an agreement that recognizes the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of all the parties. The interested parties at the local and state level have all signed off in agreement, with the approval of Congress and the President it will finally be settled. Since 2014, the County has been urging conciliation that would result in settlement. This historic settlement is a testament for the shared interest of all involved to live in peace with one another for generations to come. Thank you to the Governor and all signatories for resolving this long standing challenge. The County looks forward to the implementation of the tenets of the Settlement.”
Commitment To Strengthen Relationships
Governor Hochul is committed to supporting and strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples and tribes across New York State. The Governor’s previous steps to build on her actions are highlighted below:
- Visited the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation of Indians on May 20 and issued a formal apology regarding New York State’s role in the operation of the Thomas Indian School
- Convened leaders from the Indigenous Nations across New York State for a historic summit at the New York State Capitol in Albany
- Established a Deputy Secretary for First Nations within the Governor’ s Executive Chamber
- Visited the Onondaga Nation Longhouse. Governor Kathy Hochul made a historic visit to the Onondaga Longhouse — the first visit by a sitting Governor in more than half a century – for a conversation with Onondaga Nation leaders, including Tadodaho Sid Hill, representatives of the Council of Chiefs, and Clan Mothers
- Returned more than 1,000 Acres of Land to the Onondaga Nation. Governor Kathy Hochul, joined by United States Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sidney Hill, announced a historic agreement as part of the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program that returned more than 1,000 acres of scenic land to the Nation — one of the largest returns of land by any state to an Indigenous nation
- Proposed to strengthen the stability of Indigenous Families by directing Deputy Secretary Rule to advance, in consultation with Nation leadership and stakeholders, strategies to strengthen the objectives of the Indian Child Welfare Act, underscoring New York’s commitment to redressing injustices inflicted upon Indigenous communities
- Ensured dental care access for Indigenous Nations including $2.5 million in funding for Indigenous Nations dental health care, with the aim of addressing gaps in access
- Responded to offensive representations by commencing a comprehensive review of artistic representation of Indigenous peoples in the Capitol, with invited participation from representatives from each of the nine Indigenous Nations to ensure that all New Yorkers are welcomed in the State Capitol
Banner Image: Announcement graphic. Image Credit – Saint Regis Mohawk Tribes
