St. Lawrence County legislators sign on to Mohawk land claims settlement

[hrmjustin]

MARTHA ELLEN

CANTON — St. Lawrence County lawmakers agreed to allow their chairman to sign a Mohawk land claims settlement agreement even though some legislators were cautious about their endorsement.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe signed a memorandum of understanding May 28 with the state and the county to settle land claims that have been in dispute for more than 30 years.

“They need land. They win. We need money. We win,” county Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire said Monday. “The state needs to get this off their back.”

The agreement includes a number of provisions, including the potential purchase by members of the St. Regis Tribe of about 3,440 acres in the town of Brasher and about 1,360 acres in the town of Massena.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140820/NEWS05/140829938