Tribe Conducts Inauguration Ceremony
Jul 1, 2011
LaFrance and Conners Sworn In
Tribal Judge Peter J. Herne swore in Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance, Jr. and Tribal Sub-Chief Michael Conners, the two newest members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. The tribe held its tented ceremony behind the Tribal Community Building beginning at 11:00 am on Friday July 1, 2011. Tribal officials from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne were on hand for the ceremony and provided words of welcome to the approximately 175 community members attending the event. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by a communal luncheon.
Newly elected Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance Jr. has spent his career working in Akwesasne and served two terms as a Sub-Chief between 2004 and 2010. In his remarks, Tribal Chief LaFrance noted, “I will guarantee to you that with the help of this Tribal Council we will strive to make Akwesasne a better place for our children to grow, our elders to live peacefully and our families to flourish. I believe this is an attainable goal.” Chief LaFrance thanked his family and supporters for their help in his campaign and election to Tribal Council.
Sub-Chief Conners has spent his career working in the tribe’s gaming industry in a variety of capacities, mostly in audit and finance. During his remarks, Sub-Chief Conners said, “I have attended Tribal meetings for several years, learning how our system operates and I am now prepared to dive in and work with our system and do my best to enhance it.” Sub-chief Conners also expressed his appreciation to his family and supporters who allowed him to, “Chase his lifelong dream of serving our community as a member of Council.” LaFrance and Conners join the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council along with Chiefs Mark Garrow and Randy Hart and Sub-Chiefs Stacy Skidders and Shelley Jacobs.
For more information contact David T. Staddon, Director of Public Information at 518-358-2272 ext. 286.