Tribal Council Terminates Agreement with Roger Jock

Jul 15, 2021

AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announces that the previous transfer of two (2) acres of land to Roger Jock is now void, due to Jock failing to act in good faith in accordance with the agreement, in addition to the adverse feedback from the community.

In 2018, the Tribe reacquired 240 Acres of 1796 Treaty Land, referred to as the former-Horst Wuersching Estate, for the collective benefit for the community. At the time of purchase of the property, Jock occupied a portion of the land. As a result, the Tribe proposed to transfer land through the issuance of a deed by Franklin County. Where after the Tribe would also record the transfer to Jock in the Tribal Clerk’s Office.

Though the land transfer did not exactly fall under the Tribe’s Land Acquisition and Sales Policy (TCR 2009-71), the Tribal Council provided details of the transfer to membership through a public notice with opportunity for comments.

Previously, Jock’s intentions for the land was to organize and conduct a men’s council. At the time, Jock did not divulge that he intended to lease the property for the purpose of constructing and operating a cannabis retail storefront—these actions are a clear violation of the agreement.

Further, the Tribe’s Land Acquisition and Sales Policy stipulates that “All lands under the jurisdiction and sovereign authority of the Tribe shall be managed in such a way that preserves and promotes the long-term interest of the S[aint] Regis Mohawk Tribe.” An unlicensed and unregulated cannabis retail storefront fails to promote or protect tribal interests and remains illegal under tribal and federal law.

To date, Jock remains in violation of the Tribe’s Adult Use Cannabis Ordinance (TCR 2021-33). The retail storefront was given until July 1, 2021 to voluntarily close however, it continues to neglect a cease and desist order and is now no longer eligible for a tribal cannabis retail license. The Tribe continues to pursue legal action for its closure.

The Tribal Council reminds the public that fees from tribally-licensed cannabis operations contribute to tribal services and initiatives that will benefit the community; it strongly advises the community to refrain from patronage of such cannabis retail establishments, as it cannot verify unregulated cannabis products as safe for consumption.

#####

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.