St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

AKWESASNE– At Saturday’s Tribal meeting, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced the selection of the first ever Tribal Ethics Officer. Edward Smoke, a former member of tribal council, received unanimous approval by the selection committee and was presented to the tribal membership at the monthly meeting. Smoke was affirmed by community members present in a majority vote at the meeting.

Smoke was officially sworn into office Tuesday morning by General Counsel Dale White. Smoke will serve a five-year term.

The Ethics Ordinance, passed in a June referendum vote, was developed to provide guidance for the conduct of tribal business, to protect the interests of tribal membership, and protect the reputation and integrity of the Tribal Government. Further, the ordinance establishes a set of standards and procedures by which to hold elected tribal officials accountable to the tribal membership.

The Tribe encourages the tribal membership to revisit the Ethics Ordinance document that was mailed out in early May to become familiar with what the law entails. The ordinance is also available at the library and can be found on the Tribe’s website next week.

As spelled out in the ordinance, Smoke will be responsible for developing implementation procedures for the ordinance, facilitating investigations into ethical breaches and complaints filed, and oversight of the selection of members serving on the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission will hear and determine the merits of complaints and will impose sanctions. The commission will be comprised of five members and three alternates.

The Ethics Officer is a part-time position whose office will be temporarily located at the Tribal Justice Building until a more permanent space can be found. Notarized written complaints can be submitted to the Ethics Officer at the following address: PO Box 1297, Akwesasne, NY 13655.

Smoke has a background in criminal justice studies and received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. Upon taking the oath of office, Smoke said he is excited to move forward with the Ethics Ordinance to bring additional checks and balances to the tribal government.

SRMT Ethics Ordinance

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		Press Release For immediate release: Seskehako:wa/September 11, 2007 For more information: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 TRIBE SWEARS-IN FIRST TRIBAL ETHICS OFFICER AKWESASNE– At Saturday’s Tribal meeting, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced the selection of the first ever Tribal Ethics Officer. Edward Smoke, a former member of tribal council, received unanimous approval by the selection committee and was presented to the tribal membership at the monthly meeting. Smoke was affirmed by community members present in a majority vote at the meeting. Smoke was officially sworn into office Tuesday morning by General Counsel Dale White. Smoke will serve a five-year term. The Ethics Ordinance, passed in a June referendum vote, was developed to provide guidance for the conduct of tribal business, to protect the interests of tribal membership, and protect the reputation and integrity of the Tribal Government. Further, the ordinance establishes a set of standards and procedures by which to hold elected tribal officials accountable to the tribal membership. The Tribe encourages the tribal membership to revisit the Ethics Ordinance document that was mailed out in early May to become familiar with what the law entails. The ordinance is also available at the library and can be found on the Tribe’s website next week. As spelled out in the ordinance, Smoke will be responsible for developing implementation procedures for the ordinance, facilitating investigations into ethical breaches and complaints filed, and oversight of the selection of members serving on the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission will hear and determine the merits of complaints and will impose sanctions. The commission will be comprised of five members and three alternates. The Ethics Officer is a part-time position whose office will be temporarily located at the Tribal Justice Building until a more permanent space can be found. Notarized written complaints can be submitted to the Ethics Officer at the following address: PO Box 1297, Akwesasne, NY 13655. Smoke has a background in criminal justice studies and received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. Upon taking the oath of office, Smoke said he is excited to move forward with the Ethics Ordinance to bring additional checks and balances to the tribal government. SRMT Ethics Ordinance -30- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.