Federal Bill Finalizes Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim Settlement, Designates Tribal Lands as 'Indian Country'

This bill is all about wrapping up a decades-long legal fight over land in upstate New York. Specifically, it officially authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the “Agreement of Settlement and Compromise” reached between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the State of New York, local counties (Franklin and Saint Lawrence), local towns, and the New York Power Authority (SEC. 1.). Think of this as the federal government signing off on the final paperwork for a massive, complex real estate deal that settles multiple lawsuits dating back to the 1980s.

The Final Sign-Off on a Land Deal

What this bill does, first and foremost, is give legal weight to that negotiated settlement. It confirms that all the land, right-of-way, or easement transfers agreed upon in the settlement—which resolved three specific federal court cases—are now officially approved (SEC. 1.). This means that whatever land swaps, financial payments, or jurisdictional agreements were hammered out in that Compromise Agreement can now proceed without further legal challenge regarding federal authorization. For the involved state and local governments, this provides final certainty and closes the book on a major liability.

Changing the Map: What ‘Indian Country’ Means

The second major provision is a game-changer for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s land holdings. The bill designates specific lands owned by the Tribe within the defined Settlement Acquisition Areas as “Indian Country” under federal law (18 U.S.C. 1151(a)) (SEC. 2.). This designation applies to land the Tribe already owns and any land it acquires later within those specific areas.

For everyday people, this change in designation is a big deal because it affects jurisdiction. When land is designated as “Indian Country,” it means that certain federal and tribal laws apply, and state and local jurisdiction often changes, particularly concerning criminal and civil matters. For instance, if you’re a contractor working on a project on newly designated tribal land, the regulatory environment and who has the authority to enforce laws might be different than on adjacent state land. This shift is a key component of the settlement, providing the Tribe with greater sovereignty and control over its territory.

Why This Matters Now

This legislation is largely administrative, designed to finalize a resolution that the parties—the Tribe, the State, and the local governments—have already agreed upon. It’s not introducing new policy as much as it is making a complex, long-standing legal settlement permanent and enforceable. While the specific details of the land transfers and financial arrangements are locked up in the Settlement Agreement itself (which is referenced, not included), this bill ensures that the federal government is fully on board with the resolution. It brings finality to a situation that has tied up courts and governments for decades, allowing everyone involved to move forward.