By Nick Seebruch, Translated by Nick Laurin
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AKWESASNE – The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) has welcomed the favorable ruling of Judge Lawrence E. Kahn of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in a centuries-old land dispute pitting the Mohawk Tribe of Saint Regis, MCA and others against New York State.
The decision, which was released Monday, March 14, confirms the Akwesasne boundary as established in an agreement between the tribes and the United States government in 1976.
This boundary was reduced by New York State during the 19th century until 2,000 acres of land known as the Hogansburg Triangle was taken from the Mohawks of Akwesasne.
The MCAs first filed suit in 1982, when they were known as the St. Regis Mohawk Band of Indians. Separate claims were filed by the Mohawk Tribe of St. Regis and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs in 1989. The three cases were combined in 1992. The United States government intervened in the case on the side of the plaintiffs in 1998 against the State of New York.
“For decades, leaders and staff have worked together to pursue this land claim and express our common position that the lands of Akwesasne have been taken illegally,” said MCA Grand Chief Abram Benedict. “This judgment is a very promising step because it sends a message to New York State and county courts that our land claim is valid. We recognize this is the result of years of hard work by our staff, including the late Salli Benedict.”
The Mohawk Tribe of Saint Regis also welcomed the decision in this long-running case.
“To say we are happy is an understatement,” said Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. “We should all be proud of the perseverance shown by our recent and ancient ancestors, who stood firm in their determination to protect our lands. We are following in the footsteps of our parents and grandparents who fought relentlessly to reclaim our lands that were illegally taken. The process will continue to require patience and critical thinking as we seek to unravel the many complexities of a final remedy and settlement of our land claim.”
Judge Kahn’s decision does not provide any remedial measures to support his ruling on the boundary or land claims.
“For other areas reserved in the 1796 treaty that are not under tribal title, tribal attorneys are still evaluating the impact of the U.S. District Court’s decision,” reads a statement. declaration of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
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