Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs

518 358-3381

PRESS RELEASE

December 20, 2004

The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs met December 18^th, 2004 to discuss the proposed Akwesasne land claims negotiated settlement. The Mohawk Nation leadership reported that a consensus to sign could not be reached at this time.

However, the Mohawk Nation acknowledges that as a government, it must act as one. Thus, in council, the Mohawk Nation reached and ratified the decision to support the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in their pursuit of a settlement of the Akwesasne land claim. The Mohawk Nation also supports the stay of the Court case as the settlement is pursued.

The Mohawk Nation will continue to hold meetings and discuss the issue, and they will also seek the advice, Good Minds, of the Grand Council to help the Mohawk Nation to come of one mind. The Mohawk Nation will continue to participate in three council meetings and work on the internal agreement.

But at this time refrains, for spiritual reasons, from the signing of the negotiated settlement. This action should not be viewed as a stepping away from the Ahkwesahsne Land claim; instead, it should be viewed as a way for the Mohawk Nation to support the Ahkwesahsne settlement without compromising our nation-to-nation responsibilities and status. The Mohawk Nation takes this responsibility quite seriously and acknowledges the impact that our actions have on Peace, the Natural World, the Seven Generations, and the Confederacy.

Website updated: December 2004