Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Once again, the transfer of a St. Regis Mohawk School staff member has the ire of faculty and parents alike. Troy Mitchell, a former student of the Mohawk School and currently serving his eleventh year as a teacher there, was dismayed at the process of the transfer. According to the Malone Evening Telegram, Mitchell was notified “there was something district officials needed to discuss when he returned,” while Mitchell was attending the funeral of a family member.

Mitchell’s fellow faculty members and SRM school parents are as disappointed over the transfer, losing yet another positive role model – this time, the only male Mohawk role model on staff at the Mohawk School.

As Mitchell’s fellow staff members and Mohawk school parents, students and guardians expressed their thoughts on the transfer, the five Mohawk school board members and three non-native board members, listened but did not answer questions or debate with public comment speakers, as per school district policy.

Just last year, Superintendent Stanley Harper raised concerns and considerable debate over the involuntary transfer of SRM school principal Sharlee Thomas, also a former student of the Mohawk School and local resident of Akwesasne.

Staff and parents at the SRCS board meeting also claimed during the meeting, the Mohawk School has seen needless budget cuts while Salmon’s overall budget has increased. The Salmon River School board, as per contract with New York State, manages the Mohawk School. One parent stated Native students and Native families are left with no power over their children’s education while five school board members are Mohawks.

Indian Time attempted to contact Superintendent Stanley Harper but as of press time, he did not respond.