Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Newly elected St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Sub-Chief Pamela Brown officially took office Monday morning.

Brown, a former police officer and former Director of Compliance for the Tribe, was sworn in by Judge PJ Herne before members of Council and other community members at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Community Building.

“I want to be the first one on Council to welcome Pam,” said Chief James Ransom. “I’m looking forward to Pam’s presence on Council.”

Ransom noted Brown’s experience with the Compliance Department and the Akwesasne business community.

“I think I see that as one of our needs and one of our objectives,” to have a relationship between Council and the business community, Ransom said.

St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. Left to right: Sub-Chief Stacy Adams, Chief Barbara Lazore, Chief Monica Jacobs, Sub-Chief Pamela Brown, Chief James Ransom and Sub-Chief Ronald LaFrance.

Chief Monica Jacobs, who was elected this past June during the SRMT’s regular election, also shared words of confidence in Brown’s new role.

“She’s always been seen in a good light in our community as far as I know,” Jacobs said.

Chief Barbara Lazore said Brown “knows how this tribe runs and that’s so important.” To Brown she said “I know you’re going to do a great job.”

Lazore said that she believes history was made at the tribe in July when Joseph Phillips declined to be sworn-in after having been elected to sub-chief at the June election. He ran unopposed for the position. Following the swearing-in ceremony in July, the SRMT’s election board scrambled to find a solution and with permission from tribal members at a tribal meeting, a special election was agreed upon.

Brown was elected by a margin of three votes on August 23. Other candidates for the position were Agatha Thompson, Brendan White, Hollis White, and Wade James McDonald.