Ganienkeh facts for kids

Ganienkeh (which means Land of the Flint in the Mohawk language) is a special Mohawk community. It's located on about 600 acres (2.4 km2) near Altona, New York, in the far northeast part of the state. This community was started by a group of Mohawk people in the late 1970s. It's a rare example where an Indigenous group successfully took back land in the United States.

How Ganienkeh Began

In May 1974, some traditional Mohawk people decided to reclaim land near Old Forge, New York. They settled at a place called Moss Lake, which used to be a girls' camp. They believed this land was part of their historic territory. They also felt that New York State had made an unfair agreement in 1797 when it bought land from their leader, Joseph Brant.

These Mohawk people had left their homes on reservations like Akwesasne and Kahnawake. They wanted to live in a more traditional way. The land dispute was tricky because local people and the government didn't agree with the Mohawk's claim to be self-governing.

This action was part of a bigger movement where Native American groups were becoming more active. Many were filing claims against New York State for land that belonged to them. After the American Revolution, the Iroquois nations, who had been allies of the British, were forced to give up their lands. However, the US Senate never officially approved the treaty, which some people say made it invalid. Some also believe the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua still gives the Iroquois nations rights to land in New York today. For example, the Oneida Nation won a land claim case.

At the same time, some Mohawk families wanted to create a new community away from the existing reservations.

Moving to a New Home

The Mohawk people stayed at Moss Lake for three years. In 1977, after nearly 200 meetings with New York state leaders, they agreed to move. They moved to a new area at Miner Lake. This land was originally planned to be a State Park. New York State offered it through a special arrangement.

Unlike the ten reservations in New York, where tribes have a direct relationship with the federal government, the rules for Ganienkeh are different. The exact relationship between the Mohawk people at Ganienkeh and New York State has not been fully decided. By 1990, the Mohawk people still preferred that outsiders did not enter their territory.

This new settlement became Ganienkeh. It is about 12 miles (19 km) from the border between Canada and the United States. During their first winter, local townspeople helped them by providing food and other things they needed. The Mohawk people were only allowed to bring their personal belongings.

The Mohawk people established a "permanent non-reservation settlement." They declared that they were a sovereign community. This means they govern themselves. Ganienkeh's founding was a rare success story where an Indigenous group took back land from the United States.

Living in Ganienkeh

People from Ganienkeh say it is the only Kanienkehaka (Mohawk Nation) community that lives completely under the original Kaianerehkowa. This is the Constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy. They say it works without any influence from the United States or Canadian governments.

The people of Ganienkeh believe that the Two Row Wampum (Guswhenta) agreement gives them the right to exist as a self-governing group. They also say that because they are a sovereign people, New York State or the federal government cannot tax them.

Community Businesses

In 1990, Ganienkeh started offering tax-free bingo. Their large hall, which can hold 1500 people, is often full. The money earned from bingo has been used to develop other businesses in the community. They also sell tax-free cigarettes.

The community has also created the Ganienkeh Holistic Center. This center offers classes and education to everyone, including people from outside the community. They also opened the nine-hole Ganienkeh Golf Course, where people can play for a fee.

All these businesses are run by the community for the benefit of everyone in Ganienkeh. Through regular community meetings, every resident can help make decisions about how the community is run each day.