St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Ohiari:ha/ June 6 , 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

TRIBAL COUNCIL CONGRATULATES SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES
Approved Referendum Paves the Way for Development of Tribal Court System

AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council extends congratulations to Lorraine White and Donald Thompson on their election to Council as the incoming Chief and Sub-Chief respectively. The Tribal Council looks forward to working with them for the betterment of the Akwesasne community.

The Tribal Council extends its thanks to all of the candidates who ran for office. Being elected to office is an important civic responsibility and each individual is to be commended for their willingness to serve the community.

The Tribal Council also expresses its appreciation to Margaret Terrance and Rita Swamp for their service to the community. Both were elected in 2003 and served two-years as Tribal Chief and Sub-Chief.

According to Chief Barbara A. Lazore, “Each of them has done an outstanding job since they took oaths of office two-years ago. They’ve contributed towards a number of major accomplishments for our community and have conducted themselves in an honorable manner.”

The Tribal Council commends the tribal membership for approving the development of a tribal court system. Approval of the referendum authorizes the Tribal Council to begin the process of delegating its judicial powers to a separate and impartial tribal court system.

“We are pleased that the tribal membership agrees that having our own court system is important and that it needs to be independent from the Tribal Council,” said Chief James W. Ransom. He added, “We look forward to the Family Court as the first court to be brought forward with this mandate.”

The Tribal Council has committed to bring each court that is to be part of the tribal court system to a referendum prior to its implementation. Details, including number of judges, judicial oversight and other administrative functions, will be provided to the community prior to each court’s referendum.

The Family Court Task Force is in the final stages of developing a structure of the Family Court. A Family Court referendum is tentatively planned for August and will give the Tribe the ability to hear its own cases and make decisions in the best interest of Mohawk families. An educational process will be conducted to further educate tribal voters on the proposed Family Court prior to the community referendum.

“The Tribal Court referendum’s approval enables the development of a Family Court to be completed,” noted Chief Lazore. “We look forward to this important responsibility becoming part of our tribal court system.”

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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: Ohiari:ha/ June 6 , 2005 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 TRIBAL COUNCIL CONGRATULATES SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES Approved Referendum Paves the Way for Development of Tribal Court System AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council extends congratulations to Lorraine White and Donald Thompson on their election to Council as the incoming Chief and Sub-Chief respectively. The Tribal Council looks forward to working with them for the betterment of the Akwesasne community. The Tribal Council extends its thanks to all of the candidates who ran for office. Being elected to office is an important civic responsibility and each individual is to be commended for their willingness to serve the community. The Tribal Council also expresses its appreciation to Margaret Terrance and Rita Swamp for their service to the community. Both were elected in 2003 and served two-years as Tribal Chief and Sub-Chief. According to Chief Barbara A. Lazore, “Each of them has done an outstanding job since they took oaths of office two-years ago. They’ve contributed towards a number of major accomplishments for our community and have conducted themselves in an honorable manner.” The Tribal Council commends the tribal membership for approving the development of a tribal court system. Approval of the referendum authorizes the Tribal Council to begin the process of delegating its judicial powers to a separate and impartial tribal court system. “We are pleased that the tribal membership agrees that having our own court system is important and that it needs to be independent from the Tribal Council,” said Chief James W. Ransom. He added, “We look forward to the Family Court as the first court to be brought forward with this mandate.” The Tribal Council has committed to bring each court that is to be part of the tribal court system to a referendum prior to its implementation. Details, including number of judges, judicial oversight and other administrative functions, will be provided to the community prior to each court’s referendum. The Family Court Task Force is in the final stages of developing a structure of the Family Court. A Family Court referendum is tentatively planned for August and will give the Tribe the ability to hear its own cases and make decisions in the best interest of Mohawk families. An educational process will be conducted to further educate tribal voters on the proposed Family Court prior to the community referendum. “The Tribal Court referendum’s approval enables the development of a Family Court to be completed,” noted Chief Lazore. “We look forward to this important responsibility becoming part of our tribal court system.” --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.