Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Letter to the Editor

September 10, 2013

Third Party Management?

The possibility of Mohawk Council of Akwesasne going into third party management was mentioned at the last general meeting. When are we going to wake up and do something? Do we wait until the government comes in and takes over the management of our funds? Some people would say yes so that services are delivered without prejudice and everyone is given a fair shake.

How did we get into this position? Who is responsible for it?

Cutting programs that are a benefit to the community is not the way to go. The economics of the community are at a low. We have fund raisers for everything including school supplies and back to school clothes. I am all for these activities but it should be raising a red flag to our agencies that there is a problem within this community. People may be working but are the working poor and do not have enough money to get their children ready for school.

There have been cutbacks in education. How are we as a people going to attain an advantage against outside society if we are not educated in their ways? I am not saying assimilate but to learn their modus operandi and to be able to work for the best interests of the people.

Cut back in the number of vehicles in the fleet that service MCA. Do we need all of those vehicles? What other areas could be trimmed? Is there a way to trim up insurance costs?

What about frivolous and vexatious lawsuits and the hiring of lawyers to fight these cases? How much money is being paid out in legal fees?

The ferry issue is going to chew up a ton of money and how many people will benefit from this service? How many people who are struggling to feed and clothe their children will be able to support a ferry? How much employment will be generated on the territory by operating a ferry? Where will the operating costs come from?

There are a lot of questions and have we all thought of them and the pros and cons of all of these issues. We have a right to decide what we want and need in this community. It is up to us to tell council what to do and not them to tell us what they did and the decisions that they made after the fact.

For now, this is OUR territory and it is up to US to make decisions and not council. We are the collective and we need to let everyone know that WE are in the driver’s seat. It is time people to take a stand and right the wrongs that are afflicting our community!

Cordially,

Beverly Pyke