St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

Press Release

For immediate release:
Ohiari:ha/June 6, 2007

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

TRIBE TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON ADOPTION OF 1995 CONSTITUTION

July Vote Scheduled

AKWESASNE, NY – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has announced that it intends to resolve a long-standing governance debate by placing the 1995 Constitution before the community in a ballot question. The Tribal Constitution referendum vote is scheduled for July 21, 2007.

The Tribe has issued a Tribal Council Resolution that has directed the Election Board to prepare for a community vote that considers the following referendum question: “Do you want the Tribe to adopt the 1995 Constitutional document?”

The Tribal Constitution document was developed in 1995 and has been at the center of a 12-year tribal dispute. The controversy arose over a 1995 referendum on the document that failed to receive the requisite 51 percent of the vote. A follow-up referendum indicated that the majority of voters believed that the constitution had not passed. Since that time, proponents of the constitution have taken the matter to federal court. In 2004 Federal Judge David E. Peebles remanded the case to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a thorough review. The BIA in turn, directed the Tribe to resolve the matter within the community. The Tribal Council believes that the Tribe, through its membership, should determine whether it will approve and implement the constitutional document.

In 2006, the Tribe hired two researchers to draft a history of tribal governance and provide a chronology of events concerning the constitution. A synopsis and timeline of the tribal constitution has been prepared and will be mailed to the community, along with a copy of the constitution.

In accordance with referendum policy, several public information sessions will be held to further discuss the referendum question and the prospective governance reforms that may result should the constitution pass. Dates and times of those sessions will be announced once they are scheduled. Community members are encouraged to attend.

Questions regarding the scheduled referendum or the ballot question can be directed to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council at 358-2272, ext.178.

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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, 2007 For more information: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 TRIBE TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON ADOPTION OF 1995 CONSTITUTION July Vote Scheduled AKWESASNE, NY – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has announced that it intends to resolve a long-standing governance debate by placing the 1995 Constitution before the community in a ballot question. The Tribal Constitution referendum vote is scheduled for July 21, 2007. The Tribe has issued a Tribal Council Resolution that has directed the Election Board to prepare for a community vote that considers the following referendum question: “Do you want the Tribe to adopt the 1995 Constitutional document?” The Tribal Constitution document was developed in 1995 and has been at the center of a 12-year tribal dispute. The controversy arose over a 1995 referendum on the document that failed to receive the requisite 51 percent of the vote. A follow-up referendum indicated that the majority of voters believed that the constitution had not passed. Since that time, proponents of the constitution have taken the matter to federal court. In 2004 Federal Judge David E. Peebles remanded the case to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a thorough review. The BIA in turn, directed the Tribe to resolve the matter within the community. The Tribal Council believes that the Tribe, through its membership, should determine whether it will approve and implement the constitutional document. In 2006, the Tribe hired two researchers to draft a history of tribal governance and provide a chronology of events concerning the constitution. A synopsis and timeline of the tribal constitution has been prepared and will be mailed to the community, along with a copy of the constitution. In accordance with referendum policy, several public information sessions will be held to further discuss the referendum question and the prospective governance reforms that may result should the constitution pass. Dates and times of those sessions will be announced once they are scheduled. Community members are encouraged to attend. Questions regarding the scheduled referendum or the ballot question can be directed to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council at 358-2272, ext.178. - 30 - The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.