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Federal gov't shutdown past Feb. 15 could compromise Akwesasne tribal services

Posted 1/11/19

AKWESASNE -- St. Regis Mohawk Tribe officials say they are able to continue operations for about another month, but will have to take action if a deal in Washington to end the funding impasse isn’t …

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Federal gov't shutdown past Feb. 15 could compromise Akwesasne tribal services

Posted

AKWESASNE -- St. Regis Mohawk Tribe officials say they are able to continue operations for about another month, but will have to take action if a deal in Washington to end the funding impasse isn’t reached by then.

Saint Regis Mohawk tribal officials say their operations will continue at 100 percent through Friday, Feb. 15.

“In the event that the federal government shutdown continues beyond February 15, the Tribe will reassess and determine future actions. Such actions may include temporary staff reductions, travel freeze, hiring freeze, procurement freeze, postponement of capital projects, among other considerations,” the tribe said in a news release. “The Tribe assures tribal membership and employees that we are all working together to help minimize any potential impact the shutdown may have on individual staff and community members. It will continue to make the provision of essential tribal programs and services, including the overall health and safety of the general public, an ongoing priority.”

The tribe says they are concerned about the ongoing partial government shutdown and have been trying to stay abreast of developments in Washington, DC.

SRMT officials say Tribal Council has been in communication with New York state’s congressional members to discuss the ongoing effects of the shutdown and to urge Congress to immediately reopen the federal government.

Earlier this week, tribal leaders had talks with representatives of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, a Democrat, and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville.

“The tribe expects congressional leaders and the current administration will work cooperatively to resolve the impasse and minimize the shutdown’s impact on tribal programs that receive majority funding from federal grant awards. The federal government shutdown negatively impacts the ability of the United States to fulfill their trust obligations to all Indian nations across the Country. Akwesasne also may be negatively impacted by a prolonged shutdown of the federal government,” the tribe said in a statement.

Tribal Council and senior staff continue to monitor the situation and will keep employees and the community informed of any specific impacts. An update and measures that are being considered will be shared with membership at the Monthly Tribal Meeting on Saturday.