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Akwesasne
Veteran's Memorial Monument Fundraising Committee Chairperson
and Tribal Sub-Chief Cheryl Jacobs poses alongside a scale
model of the veteran's memorial while proudly holding a $2,500
check donated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
to be used in helping to purchase the flag pole bases, flag
poles and benches for the project.
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AKWESASNE - The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe announced today the
volunteer committee of the Akwesasne Veteran's Memorial Monument
Fund (AVMMF) received a $2,500 grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community (SMSC) to purchase flag poles, flag pole bases and
benches.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Sub-Chief and Committee Chairperson
Cheryl Jacobs stated, "On behalf of the Akwesasne Veterans
Memorial Monument Committee, we are proud to have the Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community join us in our effort to proudly recognize the military
service of all Akwesasne veterans. We extend our sincere appreciation
for their generosity, which helps ensure we reach our fundraising
goal and that the memorial project will be completed by Memorial
Day Weekend in May 2017. The grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux, as well as the financial contribution from others, helps
give individuals a vested interest in recognizing the vital role
that Akwesasne veterans served in all branches of the United States
Armed Services."
The AVMMF Committee has agreed that the funds will be used specifically
for the purpose of purchasing three flag poles and four benches
depicted in the artist's rendering that was submitted to the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community Business Council in August 2016. The
committee recently placed the three panels on order with a manufacturing
company and expect delivery during the week of May 22nd.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized,
sovereign Indian Tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the Earth,
and good employer; the SMSC is committed to charitable donations,
community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy.
The SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprises (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County.
From the Dakota tradition of helping others, the SMSC has donated
nearly $300 million to charitable organizations, as well as to regional
governments for infrastructure projects; such as roads, water and
sewer systems and emergency services.
The Akwesasne Veteran's Memorial Monument Fundraising Committee
is a volunteer group, who under the leadership of military veteran
and Tribal Sub-Chief Cheryl Jacobs, is committed to seeing the project
come to fruition. She continuously acknowledges the efforts of former-Tribal
Chief Paul O. Thompson for initially taking on the initiative that
began in 2013, which was introduced to him by a community member
who served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Mr. David 'Ed' Benedict.
Sub-Chief Jacobs reactivated the volunteer committee that sat
dormant for nearly 8 months when Paul took ill. She has helped re-energize
the committee by conducting a grueling call out for local Akwesasne
artists to submit proposals for the conceptual design and final
artistic depiction of the monument. Although no local artists submitted
a proposal, an artist was found and commissioned to complete the
design phase of the monument with input from the committee and community
members.
The committee was explicit in what they felt the monument should
contain and for it to be representative of Akwesasne Veterans -
instilling Mohawk cultural elements into the monument was of significant
importance to honor all Akwesasne Veterans. It has resulted in a
design that will pay tribute to all who have served in the Armed
Forces proudly and valiantly, as well as those who continue to serve.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is proud to support the construction
of the Akwesasne Veterans Memorial Monument, both financially and
spiritually, which will be erected inside of Generations Park's
Tewatahita Walking Trail located in Akwesasne.
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