TRIBAL COUNCIL DECIDES NOT TO ENTER INTO PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE ATTTB
Decision to Pursue Federal Permit Will Be Made By Individual Cigarette Manufacturers

AKWESASNE, NY– The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announced that it will not be entering into a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau (ATTTB). The Tribal Council stated that the decision to pursue a permit from the federal agency is an individual business decision.

“We appreciate the professional and respectful manner of the ATTTB in working with the Tribal Council to resolve issues involving cigarette manufacturing in the Akwesasne community,” said Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. She added, “This is an important issue for our tribal members and their input has helped guide our decision making. The Tribal Council has reached the right decision on this matter.”

The ATTTB understands the unique relationship that exists between the federal and tribal governments. As a result, they approached the Tribal Council earlier this year to request their cooperation in developing a joint agreement that would require individual cigarette manufacturers to comply with federal regulations.

The Tribal Council provided a public comment period in April 2005 for tribal member’s to give input on whether to agree to the federal licensing of Mohawk manufacturers. Another comment period was provided in November 2005 on the draft MOU with the federal agency and community comments contributed to the Tribal Council’s withdrawal.

The Tribal Council announced that the decision to seek or not to seek a permit from the ATTTB will be made by the individual tribal member operating the cigarette manufacturing facility. If requested by the tribal member, a representative of the Tribe’s Compliance Department will be available to assist or to have a presence during the on-site inspection stage of the federal application process.

ATTTB representatives are still required to seek permission from the Tribal Council to enter the Akwesasne territory before conducting the inspection. Federal inspectors will only be provided with limited access to the territory for the purpose of inspecting the manufacturing facility.

Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore said, “The government-to-government dialogue between the Tribal Council and the federal agency have made evident the roles of the parties in regulating cigarette manufacturing in Akwesasne.” She noted, “Individual tribal members will be making the decision and the Tribal Council will continue to support their efforts to provide jobs and improve the Akwesasne economy.”

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