AKWESASNE -- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Clerk is notifying tribal members that an additional 30-day comment period is being provided on a revised Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code. This additional comment period is for individuals to review and provide feedback on changes that have been incorporated at the request of membership and tribal programs. 

The deadline to provide additional comments prior to the Tribal Council taking final action to adopt the legislation is Friday, Kentenhkó:wa/Sept. 30.

On Tsiothórhra/Dec. 1 and 15, 2021; the Tribal Court conducted an informational session to present the draft Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code; which was accompanied with a 30-day comment period that concluded on Tsiothórhra/Dec. 31. Due to the number of revisions made to the draft, another opportunity is being provided for membership to give input.

The revised Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code, titled “Tenkwahswanón:na”, is available to review on the Tribal Members Portal, which can be accessed from the Tribe’s website . Please follow the login instructions and upon entering the portal, scroll to “Tribal Codes, Ordinances & Referendums” to select the Family Court Codes dropdown menu.

The presentation and video recordings of the Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 informational sessions provided by the Tribal Court is also available to view from the Family Court Code dropdown menu. The recordings and materials can also be found under the main “Tribal Meeting” section for each date listed above.

Along with the Tribal Members Portal; a copy of the revised Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code is available upon request from the Tribal Clerk’s Office, Office of the General Counsel, or the main reception desk at the Ionkwakiohkwaronon Tribal Administration Building. 

The deadline to submit written comments for the revised Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code is Friday, Kentenhkó:wa/Sept. 30 by emailing public.comment@srmt-nsn.gov, or by mailing or delivering them in-person to:

Office of the Tribal Clerk, Ionkwakiohkwaronon Tribal Administration Building, 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way, Akwesasne, New York 13655

Following the review of any submitted comments; the final version of the Marriage, Divorce, and Custody Code will be presented to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council to take final action and adopt the legislation into tribal law by tribal council resolution.

For more information, please contact the Office of the General Counsel at (518) 358-2272.