News stories tagged with "st-regis"

(03/08/12) A Mohawk veterans group wants the federal government to recognize the contributions of "code talkers" during the D-Day invasion of Europe during World War Two. The Navajo "code talkers" were the largest group of Native Americans during the 1940's to use their language skills in the south Pacific against the Japanese.

Jeffrey Whelan, a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Veterans Affairs Committee, says many other tribes participated as "code talkers" during the war. He says the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has sent a letter of request to the U.S. Mint to develop a Congressional Medal for nine veterans at Akwesasne who used their native language to confuse the Germans.

(04/15/10) The Adirondack Park Agency meets today in Ray Brook and the agenda includes a discussion of the controversial plan to remove two popular fire towers. The APA will also review a the Tall Timbers development project in North Creek. Brian Mann has details.

(02/13/09) Charlotte King is an artist with a mission. She grew up on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation near Massena and recently received an art degree from SUNY-Potsdam. Her goal now is to get more Mohawk art into mainstream galleries, and help preserve the region's strong artistic traditions. She's one of more than 300 artists on the reservation, from painters to basket weavers. Her love of art has taken her to the Smithsonian and Sante Fe. But, King draws and paints what she knows, the local environment around the St. Regis and St. Lawrence Rivers and her Native American culture. Some of her work is on display in Massena and Cornwall this month. Todd Moe has this profile.

(12/12/05) Like many rural regions across the U.S., the north country has far fewer African Americans and Hispanics than the national average. This week the Plattsburgh Press Republican is examining the issue of race as it affects our schools. The paper's reporters found that many of the region's kids have little opportunity to interact with racial minorities. The lack of experience may leave some children unprepared for the complex diversity that defines American life. Brian Mann spoke with reporter Ned Rauch.

(11/19/04) Legislators in Frankln County voted unanimously Thursday to oppose a land claims settlement between the state and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. County officials say a ten million dollars payment meant to offset the loss of taxes isn't big enough. As Chris Knight reports, the arguements made by legislators mirror those heard earlier this month when St. Lawrence County Legislators voted to oppose the settlement.

(01/24/02) As the federal government seeks to beef up border security since September 11, it's begun working with tribal governments to make patrolling these areas more effective. The lands of the Akwesasne Mohawks near Massena are actually split in two by the U.S-Canada border. As David Sommerstein reports, the area highlights both the challenges of border security on and near reservations and some new initiatives in border patrol.

(06/08/01) Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled New York State cannot dismiss the St. Regis Mohawks' land claim to 15,000 acres of land along the St. Lawrence River. David Sommerstein reports the decision is good news for the Mohawks' 20-year old lawsuit, but it raises the thorny issue of how many governments govern in Akwewsasne.

(04/12/01) The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is hoping to insure a non-violent crossing as activists head into Canada at the Cornwall next Thursday. Mohawks from both sides of the border have promised to escort people headed to the FTAA talks across the international bridge from Cornwall Island. But the tribal council hopes the action will stop at a symbolic show of solidarity. Yesterday, council announced it's taking a zero-tolerance stand against rumored blockades or other confrontations. Jody Tosti reports.

(02/28/00) Catholicism has its roots deeps in the history of Akwesasne, the St. Regis Mohawk reservation straddling the St. Lawrence River between the US and Canada, going back to the French Jesuit mission established there in the 1750s. The church choir there preserves a unique tradition of Christian music sung in the Mohawk language, and acts as a bridge between two often discordant cultural traditions.