Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on legislation proposed by House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. The bill aims to ratify the land claim settlement agreement involving several parties, including 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.
Chairwoman Stefanik expressed her commitment to advancing this legislation. “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,” she stated. She emphasized that this represents a significant milestone after over four decades of advocacy from all involved parties.
The settlement agreement provides several benefits. It includes free tuition and mandatory fees for all Akwesasne Mohawk students attending SUNY institutions. Additionally, it grants the 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.
Stefanik is optimistic about passing this legislation in Congress. “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,” she said.
