Tribe Endorses Candidates for May 15th Salmon River School Board Election
Apr 23, 2018
Supports Proposition to Alternate Elections at St. Regis Mohawk School
AKWESASNE—The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is encouraging school district residents to support candidates PJ Burns, Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs and Curtis White in the upcoming Salmon River School Board Election on Tuesday, Onerahtohkó:wa/May 15, 2018. In addition to voting on two school board seats, district residents will also have a chance to vote in favor of a proposition to hold the annual school board election and budget vote at the St. Regis Mohawk School on alternating years.
“Holding the school board elections at the St. Regis Mohawk School is a measure that our community has been seeking that will increase inclusion of Akwesasne residents in decisions made by the school district. Voting in favor of the proposition will give community members who have children attending the Salmon River School District a stronger voice in their education,” stated Tribal Chief Eric Thompson.
On Tuesday, Ennisko:wa/March 13, 2018; the Salmon River School Board voted six to two in favor of adding a proposition to this year’s school district elections that proposes to alternate voting locations between the St. Regis Mohawk School and the main campus in Fort Covington. Onerahtohkó:wa/May 15th will be the first time that elections will be held at the Mohawk School, which will provide an opportunity for both schools to host the annual election on alternating years.
Approximately 68 percent of the Salmon River student body is comprised of Native students enrolled with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. As a result, the Tribe is asking local residents to vote on Onerahtohkó:wa/May 15th in support of the proposition and to ensure that the voice of Akwesasne youth has equivalent representation on the school board by voting to re-elect PJ Burns and to elect Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs or Curtis White.
“The overwhelming participation of Akwesasne residents in previous school district elections has been an important factor toward ensuring all students are provided with a supportive educational environment,” said Tribal Chief Michael Conners, who currently serves on the school board. He noted, “May 15th represents the very first time that the Salmon River School District will be holding elections at the St. Regis Mohawk School and is an opportunity to maintain majority Native representation on the school board.”
PJ Burns is an 18-year veteran with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department and has provided D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instruction throughout the Salmon River School District for more than five years. He is also an Executive Board Member of the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club and Director of the annual Kids for Fishing, which has benefitted 400 youth during the past eight years—including 80 children with special needs. He is seeking re-election following a three-term that expires on Ohiarí:ha/June 30, 2018.
Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs currently serves as Tribal Sub-Chief on the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. Elected to a three-year term on Tribal Council that began on Ohiarihkó:wa/July 1, 2017; Jacobs is actively involved in education, as all her children and grandchildren have or are still attending the St. Regis Mohawk School or Salmon River’s main campus. She is also a big proponent for youth sports and has coached for North Franklin Sports, has previously worked with persons dealing with learning disabilities and supported implementation of an anti-bullying campaign, as well as wants to revive the Junior National Honor Society to the Mohawk School.
Curtis White is a school district parent, with two children currently attending Salmon River Central and one who graduated in 2017. He served five years in the U.S. Navy, which included three years with their construction battalion (a.k.a. Seabees) and received training as an electrician. In 1992, he received an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Technology from SUNY Canton. He is a member of the American Legion Post #1479 Honor Guard and volunteers with many school and community fundraisers, as well as assists with youth athletic teams.
“We express our appreciation to the three candidates for their desire to represent the interests of all students in the Salmon River Central School District,” shared Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. She added, “Our children represent our community’s future and, with continuing representation from our community, we’re confident that the school board will continue to seek partnerships and opportunities to help prepare all students for college or a chosen career.”
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is encouraging school district residents to vote in the Salmon River School Board Election on Tuesday, Onerahtohkó:wa/May 15, 2018 from Noon to 8:00 p.m. at the St. Regis Mohawk School located at 385 Church Street in Akwesasne, New York.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People