Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government Asserts Sovereign Authority, Demands End to Misrepresentation by Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA)
December 12, 2025
The Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government, the legitimate and sovereign government of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois people, has issued a formal cease and desist order to the
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) and the
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA), demanding an immediate halt to their misrepresentation of governance authority.
“Our authority is not derived from colonial statutes or external funding, but from the Great Law of Peace and the will of our people.”
Foundations of Sovereign Authority
From a legal standpoint, the Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government’s authority is grounded in the Great Law of Peace and the time-honored
Two Row / Path Belt Wampum Treaty. These foundational legal frameworks predate colonial governments and establish principles of
non-interference, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence between sovereign nations.
These principles have been affirmed through centuries of treaty-making and international diplomatic practice and remain the governing law of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois people.
Colonial Administrative Bodies, Not Sovereign Governments
In contrast, the SRMT and MCA operate under external colonial frameworks. The SRMT functions as a
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation under United States law, while the MCA is a
non-governmental organization (NGO) established under Canada’s Indian Act.
“Neither the SRMT nor the MCA possesses inherent sovereignty or national jurisdiction — they are trustees created by colonial regimes.”
These entities are administrative bodies whose mandates are strictly limited to the programs and authorities delegated to them by foreign governments.
They do not possess jurisdiction over the sovereign affairs of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois Nation.
The Ierahkwa/Iroquois community at Akwesasne rejected the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) model in 1935 by referendum and has consistently rejected
the imposed “Tribal Council” governance structure. Likewise, the MCA is a creation of Canada’s Indian Act band council system — a municipal-style administration
designed to manage reserves, not to replace traditional governance.
Trusteeship Is Not Sovereignty
Neither SRMT nor MCA was established under the Great Law of Peace or by the collective will of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois people. Both were created by
external colonial legislation and function solely as local trustees, not as the national government of the people.
This distinction is especially critical in light of recent actions by the United States administration to withdraw funding for
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs, departments, and organizations — a move that directly impacts
entities such as SRMT and MCA, whose authority is tied to those funding structures.
Cease and Desist Demand
The cease and desist order explicitly demands that the SRMT and MCA immediately stop all representations of governance or authority over the
Sovereign Independent Nation of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois people.
“Any continued claims of national or sovereign authority constitute a direct violation of our people’s inherent rights.”
Any continued misrepresentation will be regarded as a violation of established legal principles and an unlawful infringement on Ierahkwa/Iroquois sovereignty.
Unlawful Federal Recognition and Historical Record
The Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government is preparing to release documentation detailing the unlawful imposition and illegal external recognition of the
SRMT governing body during the 20th century.
Preliminary findings indicate that the current SRMT structure was established without the consent of the
Ierahkwa/Iroquois/Rotinonhshonni/Mohawk people, through actions initiated by U.S. officials — notably
Louis R. Bruce, Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (1969–1972).
In 1971, despite community rejection of the IRA model and congressional opposition, the U.S. government extended federal recognition to an elected
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council under the guise of “acknowledging a federal relationship.” This action interfered with traditional governance, restricted
freedom of commerce, and violated the Two Row Wampum principle of non-interference.
Further historical analysis is available at
www.wampumchronicles.com.
Commitment to the People
The Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government emphasizes that its legitimacy flows from the people and their ancient laws, not from colonial recognition
or external funding.
“Our responsibility is sacred: to protect the freedoms, liberties, and self-governance of our people for generations to come.”
The government remains committed to taking all necessary legal measures to ensure its sovereignty is respected and that all misrepresentations by SRMT and MCA cease immediately.
About the Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government
The Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government is the traditional, sovereign government of the Ierahkwa/Iroquois people. Its authority derives from the
Great Law of Peace and the unbroken consent of the people. The government is dedicated to the preservation of language, culture, tradition, and
the inherent right of self-determination.
To read the official statement, click here.
