The encroachment of European-Americans and the political complexities brought on by new international boundaries posed a considerable governmental challenge for the St. Regis Mohawks.

After the American War of Independence, the Mohawk people found it necessary to deal with the government of the State of New York. In order to protect themselves and their best interests, the Mohawks decided to select representatives to interact with New York. In 1802, the New York State Legislature passed a law recognizing three trustees and a clerk as the Mohawk people's chosen representatives. The trustees and a clerk were selected at a community meeting held on the reservation.

The trustees primary purpose was to give a voice to the St. Regis Mohawks who lived on the American side of the Mohawk territory, and thus in New York and to oversee certain aspects of the relationship with non-Native governments. It is not believed the trustees initially usurped the role of life chiefs (who were chosen in a more traditional manner and held their positions for life) who continued to control the internal affairs of the Tribe. However, two of the original trustees were also life chiefs. By 1818, two of the original trustees were dead and two new trustees where chosen, both of whom were also life chiefs. The unique mixture of tradition and adaptability, coupled with strong non-Native influences, brought about a new form of government. The present St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has emerged from those changes. Throughout the 19th century this new government evolved to a point where the trustees were called chiefs, formalized democratic elections were scheduled each year and definite terms of office were established.

Today, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and recognized government of the Mohawk people. Both New York State and the United States deal exclusively with the Tribal Council Chiefs in a government-to-government relationship.

The Tribal Council is comprised of three Chiefs, three Sub-Chiefs (who are similar in function to vice-presidents) and a Tribal Clerk. Tribal elections are held each year on the first Saturday of June to choose one Chief and one Sub-Chief for a three-year term. The Tribal Clerk is chosen every third year.

The Tribal Council Chiefs are responsible for setting policy and making major decisions on behalf of the Tribe. They oversee the operation of the tribal government and assure that quality programs and services are made available to the Mohawk people. More specifically, the Chiefs review and approve grants, contracts, new programs and the day-to-day business of the Tribe. They settle reservation land disputes, assist tribal members with administrative and governmental problems and preside over monthly tribal meetings. A program holder system was established for each Chief and Sub-Chief to oversee programs they are responsible for. One Chief holds the Chairperson positions to each program.

The Council is also the official representative of the Mohawks in dealings with both New York and the United States, as well as other tribal governments and inter-tribal organizations like the National Congress of American Indians and the United South and Eastern Tribes. The Sub-Chiefs receive their authority from the Chiefs. If the Chiefs are unable to fulfill their duties or are incapacitated, a Sub-Chief may also be called upon to substitute at a meeting, function, etc., for a Chief who has other commitments.

The Tribal Clerk has a broad range of responsibilities and duties. Regulating and certifying tribal membership, recording tribal meetings and resolutions, and assisting Mohawks in making wills are among the duties of the Tribal Clerk. The Clerk also records all land transactions on the reservation and assists the Tribal Council in the settlement of land disputes.

Tribal Council Procedures Act of 1994