Akwesasne Mohawks react to Governor Paterson's call to collect cigarette sales tax on Indian land

Northcountry public radio reported that native tribes across New York have vowed to fight the law in court, saying it violates their sovereignty. Jim Ransom, chief of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Akwesasne, says it also would make the economy worse and deepen an already grave smuggling problem. Ransom told David Sommerstein a loss of cigarette sales would affect 400 to 500 people in and around the reservation between Massena and Malone. for NCPR audio click here.