Today, 8 Saint Regis Mohawk tribal members were apprehended by New york city state cops and charged with trespassing and conspiracy, for trying to recover tribal arrive at Barnhart Island.
On the night of May 21, 2024, New York City State Cops reacted to Barnhart Island in upstate New york city for a criminal mischief grievance, according to cops. The residential or commercial property is presently owned by the New York City State Power Authority, and the group of tribal members did not have authorization to be on the residential or commercial property, cops stated.
“An examination identified a group of tribal members of the St. Regis Mohawk People were trespassing and deliberately harming the residential or commercial property,” cops stated.
Facebook pictures and video reveal a backhoe at the scene, and likewise a recently put up indication requiring “reclaiming lost lands and human rights.”
In action to the occasion, The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and Mohawk Country Council of Chiefs released a news release condemning the actions of its 8 tribal members.
“We comprehend the sensations of some tribal members that we own Barnhart Island given that it becomes part of our historical homelands,” the groups composed. “Nevertheless, we do not feel this action is efficient or handy and can hold up our development in the land claim settlement, which is nearing a favorable resolution and might bring over 14,000 acres of Mohawk homelands to the neighborhood.”
The council included that Barnhart Island was traditionally Mohawk land, however has actually not been under Akwesasne’s belongings given that the 1820s “due to unlawful profits.” The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and the Mohawk Country Council of Chiefs are presently taken part in a settlement procedure with New york city State to resolve longstanding land rights concerns, they included. The proposed contract would acknowledge the rights of gain access to by Akwesasne neighborhood members to Barnhart Island.
About the Author: “Jenna Kunze is a personnel press reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is likewise the lead press reporter on stories associated with Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have actually appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Nation News, Indian Nation Today, Tribal Organization News, Smithsonian Publication, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New york city.”
Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com