MOHAWK COUNCIL FINALIZES UPDATED NY STATE LAND CLAIM SETTLEMENT

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) is announcing that it has signed the updated, final settlement agreement for the New York State Land Claim. This historic milestone follows the approval of Mohawk Council Resolution (MCR) 2025-2026 #201 on September 22, 2025, which accepted minor technical changes to the agreement. It marks the culmination of decades of community consultation, negotiations, and unwavering commitment to securing rights and benefits for Akwesasró:non.

This signing follows earlier versions of the settlement agreement approved on January 6, 2025 (MCR 2024-2025 #327), and the amended agreement signed on June 23, 2025 (MCR 2025-2026 #092) after the withdrawal of the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs (MNCC) from the process.  

Originally filed by MCA in 1982, the claim sought to recover lands on mainland New York as well as Barnhart, Long Sault, and Croil Islands — all within Akwesasne’s traditional territory. After 42 years of effort, including the consolidation of claims filed by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) and MNCC in 1989, a final agreement has been reached. This represents the last New York State Land Claim, as claims were limited by the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation, which restricted tribes from pursuing land-into-reservation status through the courts.

Key Benefits of the Settlement Agreement:

• Free tuition and mandatory fees at State University of New York (SUNY) schools for all Akwesasró:non who are accepted, regardless of residency.
• The right to fish and gather on Barnhart, Croil, and Long Sault Islands, and to hunt and trap on these islands (with some restrictions on Barnhart).
• 9 megawatts of low-cost power available for purchase by SRMT and MCA from the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
• Restoration of several land areas to Akwesasne Territory, including the Hogansburg Triangle.
• $70 million in payments over 35 years ($2 million annually) from NYPA, to be distributed between MCA and SRMT.

This settlement underscores Akwesasne’s dedication to protecting the rights of its people while fostering long-term growth and prosperity.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne also wishes to acknowledge the many individuals who contributed to making this claim possible, with special thanks to the late Salli Benedict, Donna Roundpoint, Cactus Cook-Sunday, the late Rasennes Pembleton, and Cheyenne Lazore. Their dedication and efforts were instrumental in achieving this historic milestone.

For more information, please contact the Akwesasne Rights & Research Office (ARRO) at arro@akwesasne.ca or 613-575-2250.