Jun 05, 2003 — The Mohawks of Akwesasne have reached a defining moment in their history. The tribe is preparing to vote on a proposed settlement to the Mohawks' decades' old land claim and a chance to build a new casino in the Catskills. Some members say it's the best possible deal and they want to move on. But others say they can do much better and heal a divided community in the process. As David Sommerstein reports, a tribal election this Saturday will test the deal's popularity and the tribe's political system.  Go to full article

Jun 03, 2003 — Facing pressure and protests from critics, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announced over the weekend it would separate land claims from casino and taxation issues in a sweeping deal signed with Governor Pataki last month. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 28, 2003 — A complex deal between the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Governor Pataki got its first public airing on the Akwesasne reservation last week. The pact covers land claims, casinos, and tax parity issues and must be approved by the tribe and a host of state and federal agencies. As David Sommerstein reports, public meetings were poorly attended despite the controversial deal and an upcoming tribal election.  Go to full article

May 22, 2003 — The announcement of a landmark deal between Governor Pataki and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is starting to sink in amongst the tribe's neighbors. The agreement addresses tax parity and casino issues. But in the areas around the Akwesasne reservation near Massena, the big news is a proposed settlement to the Mohawks' claim that New York illegally took 15,000 acres of land in the 18th century. Today non-native residents own that land near the St. Lawrence River in northern St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. As David Sommerstein reports, some people are taking things in stride; others with trepidation.  Go to full article

May 16, 2003 — Mohawk tribal chiefs spoke publicly yesterday for the first time since signing a landmark memorandum of understanding with Governor Pataki Monday. If it survives a long approval process, the deal would settle land claims, allow a Mohawk casino in the Catskills, and establish tax parity with non-native convenience stores. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 16, 2003 — David Sommerstein talks with Mohawk Chief Alma Ransom about why she signed the historic, but controversial, memorandum of understanding with Governor Pataki.  Go to full article

May 13, 2003 — Governor Pataki and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe yesterday broke a two decades old impasse when they signed an agreement to settle the tribe's land claims in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. The deal also addresses tobacco and gas sales to non-natives and a Mohawk-owned casino in the Catskills. David Sommerstein has more.  Go to full article

May 09, 2003 — The signing ceremony for a deal between New York State and the Mohawk tribe is on hold after objections arose from some of the parties involved in a land claim against the state and criticism among tribal members. The agreement, which also involves a casino deal, will go through. David Sommerstein helps sort out the complications.  Go to full article

May 08, 2003 — Governor Pataki and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are reportedly close to an historic agreement that would resolve casino and taxation issues and long-standing land claims in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. But a signing ceremony for the settlement worth 100 million dollars was postponed at the last minute yesterday. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 10, 2003 — For nearly a decade, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has been aiming to build a Las Vegas-style casino in the Catskill Mountains, less than a hundred miles away from the lucrative New York City market. In 2001, the tribe seemed closer than ever to success, when New York's legislature authorized six new native-owned casinos. But today, land claims, lawsuits, competing tribes, and secret audio tapes are making a casino project seems more complicated than ever. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article