SRMT and MCA add additional ambulance service to Akwesasne — Community can have assurance that the provision of an essential first responder ambulance service is of utmost importance.

The joint release comes on the heels of some public reaction to the issue of acquiring additional services. Akwesasne community members took to social media and made several statements on the matter, including MCA Grand Chief Abram Benedict. “The Mohawk Council was notified by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe that the previous contractual arrangement for ambulance services serving Tribal jurisdiction would not be renewed for the time being. The ambulance service provided by the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance is operated by the MCA. The Akwesasne Ambulance will continue to operate and provide ambulance service in Akwesasne, regardless of where an emergency call originates and regardless of having no contract. The safety and well being of our community is the first and foremost priority, wrote Benedict in a Facebook post.

The contract for ambulance services with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the MCA has expired, and although negotiations have halted,  the SRMT contacted Seaway Valley to ensure services within their jurisdiction. No official comment yet from either government as to why the contract wasn’t re-negotiated. However, there will be an additional presentation made at an upcoming MCA General Meeting. Further to that, community members are encouraged to attend the February 6, 2016 Monthly Tribal Meeting which will be held at 10am in the Community Building lobby.