Membership Code Consultation Session Scheduled for November 30th
Nov 3, 2022
AKWESASNE -- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is continuing to take steps to develop new and to enhance existing tribal laws, ordinances, and regulations that safeguard the best interests of tribal membership. At the request of tribal members, the Tribal Clerk’s Office has begun exploring amendments to enhance and strengthen the Tribe’s Membership Code, commonly referred to as Code “E”. A consultation session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Kentenhkó:wa/November 30th to seek input from tribal members.
Tribes have the inherent sovereign power to govern themselves, which includes the ability to establish and determine our own membership requirements. As a result, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe developed a Membership Code that was approved by tribal members in a referendum that was held on Onerahtókha/April 19, 1986.
Since that time, subsequent amendments have been made to address any inconsistencies and ambiguities that have arisen over the years. Those amendments were implemented through the adoption of tribal council resolutions that took place in July 1986 (TCR 1986-14), November 2003 (TCR 2003-203), December 2005 (TCR 2005-90), July 2007 (TCR 2007-63), and December 2019 (TCR 2018-56).
The current version of the Membership Code is codified within TCR 2007-63; which specifies the eligibility, enrollment, and membership determinations. It is supplemented by TCR 2018-56 that reaffirms the membership appeal process. Both documents are available for tribal members to view on the Tribal Clerk’s webpage (under “Membership”) and elsewhere on the Tribe’s website. Copies are also available for members to pickup from the Tribal Clerk’s Office.
In September 2021, an informal poll was conducted to determine if additional changes are needed to the Membership Code. The vast majority of the 147 responses that were received, 77%, indicated that it needs to be updated; while 16% answered “No” and 7% were unsure. As a result, the Tribal Clerk’s Office is seeking the input of tribal members at a consultation session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on November 30th.
The consultation session will be a hybrid meeting that allows tribal members to attend in-person at the Ionkwakiohkwaróron Tribal Administration Building, or virtually using Zoom. Tribal members who would like to participate virtually must register in advance using the following registration link: https://bit.ly/3U0TI33.
Following the input of tribal members, a membership survey is envisioned to gain further feedback on specific areas of the Membership Code that may require updates. In accordance with the Tribal Procedures Act, the updated code will be presented at three (3) public meeting prior to seeking approval for its adoption through a tribal referendum.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.