AKWESASNE – (Onerahtó:kowa/May 21, 2026) We, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, make the following statement in response to the law enforcement operation conducted by the federal law enforcement agencies on May 20th at multiple locations within the village of Massena and here in Akwesasne.
Obviously, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe does not provide cover and protection for serious crimes committed on the Territory.
However, we have grave concerns regarding the disrespectful and deeply offensive breach of our long-standing directive to federal agencies on how to appropriately and respectfully enter our Territory.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department is a fully certified law enforcement body, recognized by both the State of New York and the United States federal government. Our officers have full authority to exert police powers on the Reservation and have worked in cooperative and respectful relationships with both federal and state law enforcement for many years. Our officers sit on both federal and state task forces and have participated in numerous multi-jurisdictional policing operations resulting in the arrest and conviction of drug and arms dealers, human traffickers and others charged with serious state and federal crimes.
Even when not directly involved in federal law enforcement operations, such law enforcement activity conducted on the Reservation requires the presence of our Tribal Police officers in order to ensure public safety coordination. The involvement and presence of our police department is critical to assure the community of Akwesasne that the operation has a specific purpose and is not seen as a federal law enforcement invasion of our Territory. For decades, this protocol has ensured the safety of both the community and law enforcement.
The recent federal law enforcement actions, which include “raids” and excessive use of flash bang grenades in homes with children present, at several locations located within the exterior boundaries of the Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation including homes without adequate notice to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief of Police.
It is our understanding from information gathered after the law enforcement actions took place, numerous federal law enforcement officers were involved in the operation within the federally recognized boundaries of the Reservation.
Just last year, on June 4th, we hosted several law enforcement agencies on the Territory, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, ATFE, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and special agents from the BIA-Division of Law Enforcement. At this meeting, Federal Law enforcement agencies were given a letter outlining the directive that any external agency, federal or state, planning to visit the St. Regis Mohawk Indian Reservation must immediately provide notice to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and Tribal Council especially if the purpose is to serve legal papers.
Again, in our shared interest of public safety and removing drugs from our streets, we stress that we do not condone any members possessing, trafficking, or distributing illicit drugs on our Territory, and surrounding communities. Nor do we condone the possession or use of illegal firearms.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney, John Sarcone III stated to us last year: “You are our partners against criminal actors.” He further stated that he appreciated the progress made between the U.S. District Attorney’s Office and the sovereign nation that is the Tribe and that “we should always be one team, one fight.” These statements are wholly contrary to the actions taken yesterday. He stated today “Since appointed to lead this office, it has been my priority to improve collaboration between federal partners and local law enforcement.” He further commented “This operation is a shining example of that collaboration.” He completely ignored the Tribe and its police department in this operation nor was he concerned with the safety of the Akwesasne community.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department and federal and state law enforcement agencies have spent years developing working relationships based on mutual respect and accountability. Failure on the part of federal law enforcement of the United States Department of Justice to follow the long-accepted protocol to provide our Chief of Police with adequate notice of yesterday’s law enforcement actions has jeopardized these relationships.
For more information, please visit the Tribe’s website: www.srmt-nsn.gov