On Tsiothóhrha/December 1, 2025, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council welcomed newly-elected New York State (NYS) Assemblyman Michael Cashman to Akwesasne. Assemblyman Cashman was elected to represent the 115th Assembly District in a special election held in November 2025, to fill the seat vacated by former Assemblyman Billy Jones.
Cashman spoke of his experience as Town Supervisor for the Town of Plattsburgh - the youngest person ever elected to the position - and his interests and past accomplishments in infrastructure investment, housing and economic development, and long-term community planning. Cashman’s focus in the state assembly is on the protection of agriculture land, cross-border commerce, and expanding opportunities along the Lake Champlain corridor. Council shared with Cashman important initiatives and pressing issues impacting Akwesasne's geographically diverse community, which include state funding for schools, roadway repairs, housing, update on the Mohawk Land Claim, as well as addressing community concerns over a local nuclear reactor project.
Meetings with state officials like Assemblyman Cashman are opportunities for Tribal leadership to identify areas of common interest and work together with partners to move forward on community-driven strategic goals.