Authorizes the settlement of the Akwesasne Mohawk land claim in New York, designates certain tribal lands as Indian Country, and ratifies related land transfers.
Elise Stefanik
Representative
NY-21
This bill authorizes and ratifies the settlement agreement for the Akwesasne Mohawk land claim in New York, involving multiple parties including the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York State, and local governments. It confirms any land transfers related to the settlement of specific court cases. Additionally, the bill designates lands owned by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe within defined "Settlement Acquisition Areas" as Indian Country, subject to the conditions of the Settlement Agreement.
Bill Moves to Finalize Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim Settlement, Designates Tribal Lands as Indian Country in New York
This legislation formally authorizes and confirms a significant settlement agreement aimed at resolving the long-standing Akwesasne Mohawk land claim in New York. It gives the federal stamp of approval to the deal negotiated between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, Franklin and Saint Lawrence Counties, the Towns of Fort Covington and Bombay, and the New York Power Authority, officially settling claims involved in three specific federal court cases (82CV783, 82CV1114, and 89CV829).
Settling the Score: What the Agreement Does
The core function of Section 1 is ratification. It essentially says the agreement reached by all these parties is now recognized and confirmed by federal law. This includes validating any transfer of land, right-of-way, or easement that's part of resolving the disputes central to those court cases. For everyone involved – the tribal nations, the state, local governments, and the power authority – this means moving towards legal finality on these specific historical land claims.
Defining Boundaries: What 'Indian Country' Means Here
Section 2 addresses the status of certain lands. It designates specific areas, referred to as "Settlement Acquisition Areas," where land owned by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will be considered "Indian Country." This term, legally defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1151(a), generally refers to land under tribal jurisdiction, similar to a reservation. This designation applies both to lands the Tribe owns within these areas when the settlement takes effect and to lands they might acquire there later. However, it's crucial to note this isn't a blanket designation; the bill explicitly states this status is subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations outlined in the Settlement Agreement itself. The practical application of tribal jurisdiction within these areas will depend heavily on the specifics negotiated in that agreement.