A bill to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, and for other purposes.

This bill would authorize and confirm a settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the State of New York, and several local government entities to resolve long-standing land claims in northern New York. The legislation proposes to restore land rights to the Tribe, provide tuition assistance for tribal members at certain postsecondary institutions, and require annual payments from the New York Power Authority to the Tribe. Additionally, the bill would recognize land owned or acquired by the Tribe within specified areas as Indian country for the purposes of legal jurisdiction.

This bill directly affects the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, including tribal members who will receive tuition assistance for certain postsecondary institutions. Government entities involved include the State of New York, the New York Power Authority, Franklin and Saint Lawrence Counties, and the towns of Fort Covington and Bombay. Additionally, the legislation impacts land ownership and jurisdictional status within specified settlement acquisition areas in northern New York.

• Ratification of the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim settlement. The bill authorizes and confirms a settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the State of New York, local counties and towns, and the New York Power Authority.
• Restoration of land rights and access. The agreement restores land rights and provides land access to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, while also confirming transfers of land, rights-of-way, or easements involved in specific court claims.
• Designation of Indian country. Any land currently owned or later acquired by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe within designated settlement acquisition areas is recognized as Indian country for purposes such as criminal jurisdiction.
• Educational and financial provisions. The settlement requires the New York Power Authority to make annual payments to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and provides tuition assistance for tribal members at certain postsecondary institutions.

The bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specific settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the State of New York, and various local government entities to resolve long-standing land claims. It also addresses the legal status of land transfers and easements involved in specified court cases and designates certain acquired lands as Indian country for the purposes of criminal jurisdiction.

The bill seeks to resolve the Akwesasne land claim in northern New York by authorizing and confirming a settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the State of New York, and local government entities. The legislation aims to restore land rights, provide tuition assistance for tribal members, and establish certain lands as Indian country.