Taxes No. 2: Mohawks vs NYS by sandra46
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Description
This billboard was taken on Rt. 37, on the US side of the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation in 2008. It is just in front of the library and museum. It changes often and expresses the political mood of the moment. This is also an example of typical Indian humor: the Homeland Security is that of the Indians of the photo. They are Geronimo and his Apache rebels, an icon of Indian resistance in popular imagination. A value added is that they moved back and forth another border, that between the USA and Mexico, as the Mohawk do, since their reservation lies astride the international US_Canada border, and two provincial (Ontario and Quebec)boundaries and a state line (New York State).
The billboard wants to support the notion of sovereignty of the Mohawks, which are exempted from taxes by the so-called Commerce Clause in the 1787 US Constitution.
The Mohawks are a closely-knit, quarrelsome community, where three people form four factions, but they are adamantly united on the issue that New York Sate can't tax gas, cigarettes and liquor sold in the reservation to non-Indians. This is part of a tug-of-war dating back to the post-Revolution days. The Empire State was the last to sign the Constitution, and has always attempted to do what it wanted. The last two Govermors have tried to tax the Mohawks, as well as other Indians, to no avail. The federal government has always supported the Indians against the State. Hillary Clinton is very loved in Akwesasne for her support. This is ironic for Indians that usually don't bother with voting. However, they are very patriotic in their own way, and consider the attacks to the Twin Towers, which they and their fathers built as ironworkers, as a personal offence.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Comments (28)
TECHNISTRATIONS
I don't care who ya are, now that's funny!
Mousson
Great shot!!!
Amosicho
Very nice shot Sandra !!!
Deadly_Ernest
A people with a great sense of humour - I can only add, "Power to their people, power to you and them"
lyron
Fantastic shot!!
allnaydi
Awesome shot and great sense of humor Sandra. As always, fabulous historic background information!
Digitaleagle
Very interesting capture and information, thanks for sharing!!!
bmac62
It is funny, but they are deadly serious. Their sense of humor has to get them a lot of support from others too. Great shot!
flora-crassella
very interesting story and photo!!!!!!
greensleeves81
I think Americans are generaly tax sensitive. I have seen many time in news te word tax is mentioned both by the people and the government. In otherwords people are more conscious about the tax they pay. And that's what our people lack. Great presentation.
ShadowsNTime
That same image is now on tee shirts but reads "Fighting Terrorism Since 1492" Being Native American this speaks very deeply to me, in many ways. Great story and awesome capture Sandra! Happy Moms Day to you!
MC-Jay-One
Very great shot and information!
schonee
Cool! Great one!!! I Like it!
jeroni
Fanstastic photo
armoric56
superb shot!!
drifterlee
Cool shot!!!
MOSKETON
HOY ESTAMOS DE ANTIGUEDADES, SON FANTASTICAS. FELICIDADES.
Radar_rad-dude
A most excellent photo and accompanying description! Most interesting details you bring to light in this composition! Very well done!
ledwolorz
Fantastic shot.
Minda
wow! this is very interesting sandra and great info...outstanding work!!
sema_fox
Cool!
lucindawind
wow how interesting ! excellent
magnus073
Nice work Sandra
junge1
An interesting capture and a very interesting story. We have similar issues with tribes that live in Arizona. On the surface, most people are not aware of most of the issues. Among the topics you mentioned, here in Arizona they have what is called 'Federal Reserved Waterrights' set aside for them as the reservations were established. Two reasons our adjudication of water rights in the Gila River and the Little Colorado River have been going on for over 30 years, with no end in sight, is the determination where surface water ends and groundwater (percolating water starts). The other issue is the Federal Reserved Right. They get water from the Colorado River under the compact signed in 1923 and sell that water to developers or hire outsiders that grow crops on their reservation lands. The tribes have their own attorneys (usually Native Americans), a hired outsider (usdually the lead attorney for them), BIA lawyers and Dept of Justice lawyers. The adjudication courts have realized that adjudicating water rights with the indians will never come to an end. So they are trying to settle. I have seen early claims filed in Pima County when I researched water rights claims, of a settler near Ft. Bowie that complained of the Indians (Geronimo and his gang) of stealing goats and cattle and driving them across the border into Mexico.
danapommet
Great capture and a fine history lesson. We have the same issues here in south Florida and most settlements with the state and feds include casinos on Seminole reservations. Dana
miwi
LOve this shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
amota99517
This is a wonderful shot and a great commentary to go with it.
dbrv6
Great capture - irony is very funny