Mohawks of Akwesasne
Community Settlement Trust

Benefits

On January 28, 2023, the Trustees met with Council and the Overseers to discuss the results of the Community Consultation Process and to identify and finalize the Community Priorities for 2023.  They are as follows:

  • Promote and support the health, safety and well-being of Members.
  • Assist in meeting the social needs of Members.
  • Establish and promote recreational programs for Members.
  • Assist in the funding of construction or improvement of facilities owned or operated by MCA
  • Preserve and promote the Mohawks of Akwesasne language.
  • Preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.
  • Assist or promote justice, security and protection for Members.
  • Assist with historical and legal research into land and other claims that the Mohawks of Akwesasne may have.
  • Protect, maintain or enhance the natural environment of the Community of Akwesasne.
  • Assist with programs that provide housing assistance to Members.*
  • Create and promote economic development.*

*Note that project proposals related to housing or economic development must be initiatives that benefit the Mohawks of Akwesasne as a whole (not an individual).

After the priorities are confirmed, the Trustees evaluate the investments to determine the amount of funds that are available for distribution. An annual call-out for Community Benefits takes place from early February to mid-March and members submit their project proposals.

Beneficiaries

What the Trust is allowed to fund

The purposes of the Trust, or authorized use of the funds held in the Trust, are defined at Section 3 of the Trust agreement and are listed below

  • Assist with funding to create and promote economic development, including entrepreneurship, in conjunction with programs offered by other parties;

  • Promote and support health, safety and well‐being of Members;

  • Assist in meeting the social needs of Members;

  • Assist and promote recreational programs for Members;

  • Construction or improvement of MCA facilities;

  • Promotion and preservation of language and culture of the Mohawks of Akwesasne;

  • Housing for Members;

  • Negotiation or litigation to protect or advance Treaty rights of the Mohawks of Akwesasne;

  • Programs or initiatives which promote justice, security and protection for Members;

  • Historical and legal research into land and other claims;

  • Programs to protect, maintain or enhance the natural environment;

  • Acquisition of land;

  • Emergency disaster relief; and

  • Any other purpose that is of benefit to the Mohawks of Akwesasne.

The Trust capital is to be maintained for the long‐term benefits of the Beneficiaries. As a result, payments of funds for the authorized uses is made from the income generated by the Trust as a result of investing the Trust funds pursuant to investment guidelines of the Trust (Investment Policy Statement).

What the Trust will not fund

  • Research (i.e. feasibility study, surveys & questionnaires);

  • Payment of individual Band Members for personal benefit (i.e. per capita distributions to members of the Mohawks of Akwesasne);

  • Individual “for profit” projects providing questionable or limited community benefits (i.e. subsidizing your business);

  • Multi‐year projects (meaning projects longer than 12 months in duration);

  • Renovation and capital improvements of privately‐owned buildings;

  • Funding of individual sports team;

  • Organizations with poor board governance structure and/or poor accounting procedures and practices.