St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chiefs Monica Jacobs and James Ransom sat down Monday for a two-hour impromptu discussion with an ad hoc community movement that wants them out of office.
The community group, which designated five spokespeople in late May, commandeered a conference room at the local community centre to get the meeting.
In recent months, the group has been rallying against its three-chief system of government, which they believe to be defunct.
An informal referendum on July 5 showed overwhelming support for the group's concerns, but has gone unrecognized by the St. Regis Tribal Council.
The group believes the vote nullifies the tribal court, its constitution and the signatures of the chiefs.
The St. Regis community movement, comprised of some 40 individuals, is now calling for local banks to freeze tribal funds until its legitimacy is recognized by the official tribal council.
TAKING A STAND
"This is us taking a stand," said spokesperson Cindy Smoke of the group's actions Monday, which they said were peaceful. "The tribal council doesn't want people to know the freedom they hold."
At the meeting, group spokesperson Melvin White told the chiefs that thequestion of whether the St. Regis people want the three-chief system has never been asked.
"We're asking it," he said.
"Where do you derive your powers from?" he asked Ransom.
"From the vote of the people," Ransom responded.
Chief Ransom, who said he will not allow the group to use the community's conference room as its headquarters, said that every election automatically ratifies the three chief system.
When the community votes, as it will in the upcoming sub-chief election, Ransom added, it shows community support for the current system of governance.
He said that if people wanted to express disapproval with the three chief system, they shouldn't vote.
"See how many stay away," he said with a smile.
Chief Jacobs said the chiefs are trying their best to work with the current system. "The three-chief system is the governing body under this roof whether you agree with it or not," Jacobs told the group. "This is about listening to the facts. We are a community that's always been subdivided."
Members of the group challenged the chiefs on issues such as health care, land claims and the validity of past referendums dating back to the 1980s. The chiefs discussed some of the positive work they've done for the community, such as its supplemental fuel program and trying to get more Mohawk contractors for local projects.
David Staddon, information officer for St. Regis Tribal Council, has denounced the community group and called their actions "confusing" for the community. He understands there are issues within the community, but said the proper channels must be used.
Group spokesperson Melvin White said the group isn't deterred by their failure to get the tribal council's attention.
"They're not pulling our strings," he said. "The Mohawk two-step hasn't started yet."
The community group intends to return to the conference room to continue its challenge of the three-chief system.