Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

I would like to express my concerns over the removal of the dam in Hogansburg. A lot of us have grown up on this river, if not all of us. We all swam, boated or fished as kids on this river and most still do til this day. Our people have lived off this river for many generations, whether it be for travel, enjoyment or livelihood. We’ve grown up hearing many fish tales about the giant fish species that were caught in this river by our parents and grandparents and so on, throughout our lives.

I myself make my living by guiding on our great rivers we have here. I am always doing my best to protect and preserve what we have flowing through our territory, so I can one day pass it on to my children and yours. My concerns were put forth at the community meetings with the tribal council. I watched the presentation that was given and the reasons why the dam should be removed. I spoke on how the information in the presentation was false and asked why this was being presented. No answers were given, just sarcastic remarks and I was asked to provide what proof or studies I have to back up my remarks and statements? I said I have witnessed first hand as to what happens when the dams in the areas are removed, the fishing basically goes to hell in those areas. My main concern, and has been for almost 8 yrs. now is our spawning grounds in Hogansburg. All our bass, walleye and muskie go there in the spring to spawn. Over the last 8 yrs. I’ve been having meetings with the tribe to voice my concern on the sediment that has almost covered half of our spawning grounds already. I’ve informed the tribe and asked that they do something to remove the sand sediment that’s been building up over the last 8 or so years, so our spawning grounds can remain healthy. I’ve spoken with other fisherman in our community and they too have seen the decease in our fish population and share the same concerns that I have on this matter.

In years past I have helped fisheries biologists and Environment groups do studies on our populations of fish. They all concluded that we have the BEST population of fish, than anywhere else in the United States or Canada. Our waters above and below the dam are the finest fishing waters they have ever seen and stand as being world class. Now our populations are in decline because we haven’t taken the time to maintain what we have and what we should be keeping an eye on, which is our SPAWNING GROUNDS! The spring sediment that is going to come down when this dam is removed is going to bury our spawning grounds and destroy what is known as the best fishery in our country. Look at what happen to the spawning grounds in Fort Covington, it too was noted as being part of the best in the country and it was destroyed. It was covered up by the sediment that came down after the dam was removed and it has never recovered. Are we going to let this happen to our waters and destroy what we have here and what we are suppose to protect and pass on to our children?...I hope not.

Another concern and question that was asked at the meeting by one of our elders, was “What is going to happen to the homes that were built in the areas where it use to flood before the dam was built?” The subject was changed and the question was never answered. I think we need to put this on hold and have a REAL discussion within our community on which way we want this to go. As a community I think this an important issue that needs to be addressed before we move forward with the removal of the dam. I hope this has made you stop and truly think about what is at risk and what we are about to destroy if we go through with this decision. As Mohawks we have always preserved our natural resources and need to make our voices heard on this issue before it’s too late.

Thank You,

William Clute