WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik's legislation to ratify the land claim settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, the Towns of Fort Covington and Bombay, and the New York Power Authority.
“I am deeply honored to lead this historic legislation and to have my legislation ratifying the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim Settlement Agreement that returns thousands of acres of land back to the Akwesasne Mohawks featured before the Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee. This is a significant milestone following over four decades of tireless advocacy from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, the Towns of Fort Covington and Bombay, and the New York Power Authority," said Chairwoman Stefanik. "I will be proud to pass this historic achievement in the United States Congress and send it to the President’s desk for his signature."
Additionally, the settlement agreement includes:
- Free tuition and mandatory fees for all Akwesasne Mohawk students attending SUNY institutions;
- Right to acquire 9 megawatts of power at a preferred rate from New York Power Authority; and
- $70 million from New York Power Authority over 35 years.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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