Akwesasne, NY—On Tuesday, Onerahtohkó:wa/May 3, 2016; the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe announced three questions will be posed to eligible tribal voters in a referendum to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Ohiarí:ha/June 4, 2016 in the Community Building Lobby. Two questions pertain to the proposed exploration of the marijuana and hemp industries, while the third seeks to clarify the basis for determining tribal membership.
The specific referendum questions are:
- Question #1: Should the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe explore options to legalize, license and regulate the cultivation, production and distribution of MEDICAL MARIJUANA?
- Question #2: Should the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe explore options to legalize, license and regulate the cultivation, production and distribution of INDUSTRIAL HEMP?
- Question #3: Do you approve of TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP being determined by blood quantum or lineal descendancy?[ ] Lineal descendancy or [ ] Blood quantum
In advance of the June 4th referendum, a series of three public meetings each will be held to discuss the specific questions. The dates, times and location for the meeting are as follows:
Medical Marijuana/Industrial Hemp
Wednesday, May 11 @ 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m., Tribal Lobby
Saturday, May 21 @ 9:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m., Tribal Lobby
Monday, May 23 @ 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m., Tribal Lobby
Tribal Membership
Thursday, May 12 @ 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m., Tribal Lobby
Saturday, May 21 @ 11:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m., Tribal Lobby
Wednesday, May 25 @ 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tribal Lobby
All tribal members planning to vote are reminded to bring their tribal enrollment card or valid photo identification. At the time of voting, an eligible voter must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, be an enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, reside in the United States for at least six months immediately prior to the election and have their name on the most current eligible voters list.
Anyone unsure of their voting eligibility should check with the Tribal Clerk’s Office at (518) 358-2272 prior to 4:00 p.m., Ohiarí:ha/June 3, 2016. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Tribal Clerk’s Office no later than Saturday, Ohiarí:ha/June 4, 2016 at 12:00 noon.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.