A group of residents who have been organizing informal votes and meetings on the U. S. side of Akwesasne is creating confusion in terms of what’s official and what’s not, the St. Regis Mohawk council’s information officer said.

Several residents organized a vote earlier this month to overturn the tribe’s three-chief system.

While the event showed significant support for the idea, the vote was unsanctioned.

Now, individuals calling themselves spokespersons for the Mohawk community, have also scheduled an event for this Saturday, although it’s purpose regarding the three-chief issue is unclear.

“The information they put out into the community is very confusing,” said council spokesperson David Staddon. In April, Mohawk community residents rejected the idea of moving to a six-chief system. The referendum results were 184 to 50.

Staddon said he understands there are issues within the community, but the proper channels must be used.

“The council has been conscientious in trying to reform government based on feedback from the community, but there’s no referendum scheduled right now.”

St. Regis resident Cindy Smoke issued a release to local media earlier this week about her concerns with the three-chief system.

“The three-chief system of the St. Regis Tribe is defunct; they’re dead; they’re gone!” she wrote.

Smoke, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, also wrote the community has suffered at the hands of the three-chief system. She noted how the community . . . should be governed by itself, “the people”. Officially, there is an upcoming special election in August to elect a sub-chief.