Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AKWESASNE. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe responded to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement to end the State's mask mandate for indoor public spaces. Despite the State's decision, the Tribe is a sovereign tribal government and implements its own protective measures to safeguard public health against COVID-19. As a result, the SRMT Emergency Operations Center, with the support of Health Services, is kindly reminding community members and guests that masks are still required in all public places under the jurisdiction of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

Though the availability of hospital beds is improving throughout the region and NYS is reporting a statewide positivity rate of 4.4%, the North Country continues to lead the entire State with a 10.6% positivity rate (according to NYS Department of Health, as of 2/8/2022). The North Country Region is also leading the State in number of cases per 100,000 tests; with an average of 68.3 daily cases reported in the past seven days.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tribe has generally developed and maintained protective measures above and beyond NYS requirements. This has been an essential part of measuring and assessing the benefits or adverse impact of external measures. It has contributed to the enhancement of some tribal measures that have helped to prevent and further control the spread of COVID-19, such as the continuation of the Tribe's mask mandate in all public places in Akwesasne's southern portion.

As a result, we respectfully ask all individuals for your cooperation and to properly wear a mask over your mouth and nose when visiting or patronizing public establishments in our community. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and contributes towards our tireless efforts to protect those who remain unvaccinated due to their personal choice or cannot get the vaccine due to an underlying medical condition or age.

Niawen:kowa/Thank you very much for your understanding.