AKWESASNE, N.Y. (AP) ~ A Native American tribe in upstate New York is investing awards from a pollution lawsuit into cultural preservation, funding tribal environmental groups and a language-preservation program.
The Plattsburgh Press-Republican reports (http://bit.ly/2olbApq ) that the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, residents of the Akwesasne (ahk-weh-SAHS’-nee) Reservation, was awarded a $19.4 million settlement in 2013 in a case regarding the release of industrial pollutants into the environment. Tribal Council leaders then earmarked $8.4 million to be used for cultural restoration projects, like the preservation of the Mohawk language.
The three recipients of the monetary awards were chosen from a list of 33 applications for funding. The three previous award recipients will continue to be funded through December 2018.
