[Indigsol] IPSMO Newsletter, Special Akwesasne Edition, Sunday, Sept 20

[Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa]

IPSMO Newsletter, Special Akwesasne Edition, Sunday, Sept 20
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1) MCA Press Release: Boycott Cornwall in Response to $1000 Bounty on Non
Reporting Residents

2) Native protest closes bridge to Cornwall border-crossing

3) NO GUNS ON OUR LAND!

4) Natives cry foul
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MCA – Boycott Cornwall in Response to $1000 Bounty on Non Reporting Residents
For immediate release:

Seskehko:wa/ September 18, 2009

For information contact:
Mohawk Government Office
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Tel: (613) 575-2348

AKWESASNE LEADERSHIP RESPONDS TO CBSA ATTACK
AGAINST COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Akwesasne —This morning, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) took
unilateral action against Mohawks from the community of Akwesasne. In
particular, CBSA started civil seizure actions against Akwesasronon who
travel to Kawehnoke, but not to Cornwall. When these vehicles make a trip
to Cornwall at a later time, the CBSA has started and intends to seize
their vehicles unless a $1,000 bounty is paid to CBSA.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne views this action as aggressive and
totally inconsistent with the cooperative approach that had been taken by
CBSA in meetings with the Akwesasne Leadership Task Force. Much progress
has been made in the discussions and the Leadership had committed to a
plebescite before the end of October that could potentially lead to a
return by the CBSA to Kawehnoke.

The decision of the CBSA to act in this manner at this time is deeply
disturbing to the Akwesasne leadership and community. It is not a good
faith action and is extremely detrimental to the process to seek
reconciliation of past grievances. It was this very treatment of the
Akwesasne community that led to the abandonment of the Kawehnoke Port by
CBSA to begin with.

The Akwesasne leadership is pursuing all political and legal actions to
stop this attack on the Mohawk community. Meetings are being requested
with appropriate political leadership to discuss this action. Lawyers are
being consulted to seek an injunction to stop the civil seizures from
occurring.

The CBSA has provided no rationale for this disturbing action.
Akwesasronon traveling to Kawehnoke present no threat to Canada. They are
not entering Canada, but traveling only within Mohawk territory. When they
do travel to Cornwall, they report at the Cornwall Port as do every other
visitor to Canada.

The CBSA already has agreements at other Ports of Entry that allow local
residents to report by telephone at night as the Port is closed, but
residents are allowed to return home. Akwesasne leadership offered the
services of the Mohawk Security Detail at the abandoned Kawehnoke Port and
the Akwesasne Mohawk Police as reporting authorities for Mohawk travelers
going to Kawehnoke, as well as many travelers returning home. These
possibilities have been discussed with CBSA, but they have refused to
consider them.

The Akwesasne leadership is urging all community members to stop going to
Cornwall while political and legal solutions to CBSA’s hostile actions are
addressed. The leadership regrets that CBSA’s actions once again threaten
the relationship between the Cornwall and Akwesasne communities, but the
interests of the Mohawk community must be addressed. It also undermines
the good faith that has been extended by the Akwesasne leadership to CBSA
and the government of Canada.
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Native protest closes bridge to Cornwall border-crossing

Updated Sat. Sep. 19 2009 7:21 PM ET

ctvottawa.ca

Police blocked access to a temporary border-crossing in Cornwall, Ont. for
more than six hours on Saturday after Akwesasne Mohawks protested what
they call unfair treatment by Canada Border Services.

Cornwall police closed the Seaway International Bridge leading to the
United States just after 11 a.m. because of a dispute between Mohawks and
the government agency.

Although the border-crossing remained open, the bridge was closed until
just before 5:30 p.m. Those hoping to travel to the United States were
being advised to cross the border at Dundee, Que., located 45 minutes east
of Cornwall; or Prescott, Ont., about 45 minutes west of Cornwall.

The demonstration stemmed from a disagreement over fines recently issued
to members of the Mohawk community who failed to report to a temporary
customs office in Cornwall when they returned to Canada from the United
States, even though they stayed within native territory.

However, Canada Border Services says all travellers entering Canada are
required by law to report to the port of entry.

In a statement released to the media, the agency said it recognized it
would take time for frequent travellers to become familiar with the
temporary border-crossing. Since July 13, the government has been
communicating the rules through the media, as well as using a sign
campaign at the American side of the Canada-U.S. border.

Canada Border Services said it notified the Akwesasne Mohawk Council on
Sept. 1 to inform the community that it intended to start enforcing the
rules.

However, the Akwesasne Mohawk Council disagreed with recent penalties
issued to members of the community, saying it made no sense to fine
Mohawks who use native land to travel between the two countries.

"They are not entering Canada, but travelling only within Mohawk
territory. When they do travel to Cornwall, they report at the Cornwall
Port as do every other visitor to Canada," reads a statement issued by the
Akwesasne Mohawk Council on Friday.

The council said some residents have been fined $1,000 for failing to
report to customs. If the fine is not paid, the council said border agents
will seize vehicles when they leave Mohawk territory to enter Cornwall.

Members of the CBSA met with the Akwesasne Mohawk Council on Saturday to
discuss the dispute.

Akwesasne resident Brian White calls the fines "extortion" against Mohawks.

"Some local residents shut down the bridge (Saturday) morning after the
CBSA impounded a vehicle and wanted to extort the Indians $1,000 to get
their car back," he told CTV Ottawa.

The demonstration on Saturday was described by Mohawks as small and peaceful.

It's the latest in a series of incidents that have closed the Seaway
International Bridge this summer.

The temporary border crossing was opened on July 13 in Cornwall, Ont., six
weeks after a crossing on native territory was closed amid a dispute with
the Mohawk community.

The border crossing at Cornwall Island was shut down on June 1, when a new
federal policy kicked in requiring all border guards to carry
nine-millimetre handguns.

The Cornwall border crossing handles more than 2.5 million trips each
year, with commercial and tourist traffic accounting for at least one
million trips, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
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3) NO GUNS ON OUR LAND!
THERE WILL BE NO GUNS! “YOU ARE ON INDIAN LAND”

Mohawks are being held hostage on Cornwall Island by Canada and the U.S.
until we agree to let the gun toting border guards roam around the middle
of Akwesasne. The Minister of Public Safety won’t talk to us. Why? In the
meantime boats and barges are shuffling kids, food and other necessities
to us.

"We need more support here, the CBSA - Canadian Border Service Agency - is
trying to supercede our laws on Akwesasne land, we need petitions and
support voiced worldwide"

"They are trying to arm the CBSA, we have a park where the kids play and
also houses right next to the customs, also there are reports and
complaints of harrasment and abuse filed against agents there, they have
strip searched a 16 yr old female, the Granddaughter of a respected member
of our community, and that's just for STARTERS. Now they want GUNS? Never!
We have tried to talk to them, they wont listen, Van Loan is an idiot,
Parliament is a joke".

Peaceful protests are needed, the petition below needs to be widely
circulated, signed, posted and reposted, if you can get up to Akwesasne
PLEASE DO, if you know people in the Akwesasne, Cornwall Island,
Hogansburg area, please let them know, copy and paste this, send it to
your email buddies, post it on MySpace, on your groups, everywhere.


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoGunsForCBSA/index.html

Many supporters have requested a listing of items that they can donate.
The following is a list that would greatly assist the transportation
system and can be dropped off at the following locations:

CIA #3 Building, Environment Department in Kawehnoke or DTS Maintenance
Garage in Kanatakon from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday:

Flashlights Batteries
Fluorescent Light Sticks Air Horn
Life Jackets Small Coolers for Boat Operators
Re-freezable Ice Packets Rain Jackets/Pants
Rubber Boots Anti Slip Strips for Deck
Flares Floatation Rings with Ropes
Boat Bumpers Solar Lights for Docks
Tarps Emergency Blankets
Sun Block 2-way Radios
Rope Oars


Monetary donations for fuel/oil and maintenance of equipment

Also, Metal Shelving for non-perishable food storage is needed at the
Rally Tent. If you are willing to donate the shelving, it can be dropped
off at the Tent site.

MCA Home Support transportation for Medical Appointments will be by land
only. Clients should plan for the extra time needed to travel around Ft.
Covington/Dundee or Ogdensburg/Prescott ports.

This change only affects Home Support Transportation, it does not affect
Dialysis Transport or Non-Insured arrangements.

For more information, call the Home Support Office at (613) 936-1548.

For more information on Emergency Operations Updates, contact:

Dawn David
Communications Assistant
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Phone (613) 936-1548 Ext. 1049
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Guns are for killing people. We would appreciate your help by signing the
following petition!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoGunsForCBSA/index.html

Police have blocked access to a temporary border crossing in Cornwall,
Ont. because of a protest by Akwesasne Mohawks on Cornwall Island.

Cornwall police say they were called in by the Awkesasne Mohawk police to
close a bridge leading to the United States until a dispute between Mohawk
protesters and border services can be resolved.

The incident stems from a disagreement over fines recently issued to
members of the Mohawk community who failed to report to a temporary
customs office located off Mohawk territory when returning to Canada from
the United States.

However, the Akwesasne Mohawk Council disagrees with the penalties, saying
it makes no sense to fine Mohawks who use native land to travel between
the two countries.

"They are not entering Canada, but traveling only within Mohawk territory.
When they do travel to Cornwall, they report at the Cornwall Port as do
every other visitor to Canada," reads a statement issued by the Akwesasne
Mohawk Council on Friday.

The council says some residents have been fined $1,000 for failing to
report to customs. If the fine is not paid, the council says border agents
will seize vehicles when they leave Mohawk territory to enter Cornwall.

Now, the council is advising all of its residents not to travel to
Cornwall until the issue can be resolved.

"The leadership regrets that CBSA's actions once again threaten the
relationship between the Cornwall and Akwesasne communities, but the
interests of the Mohawk community must be addressed."

Akwesasne Mohawk police say members of the community are currently engaged
in a peaceful demonstration on Cornwall Island.

As a result, the border has been closed. Meantime, travellers are asked to
use the crossing at Dundee, Que., located 45 minutes east of Cornwall; or
the crossing at Prescott, Ont., about 45 minutes west of Cornwall.

The Cornwall border crossing handles more than 2.5 million trips each year
with commercial and tourist traffic accounting for at least one million
trips, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
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4) Natives cry foul
Posted By GREG PEERENBOOM
Updated 14 hours ago


There's a renewed sense of crisis for Akwesasne residents going through
the temporary Canada Customs checkpoint at the north foot of the
International Bridge.

"Akwesasne residents are being charged for failing to report to Cornwall
customs -- people are being charged as we speak," said Grand Chief Mike
Mitchell Friday, taking a short break from an "emergency" meeting with
other Akwesasne council members to "explore legal options."

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires pedestrians to report to
customs if they are leaving the U. S. to enter Canada.

But with the temporary customs located off Cornwall Island, some Akwesasne
residents have decided not to drive the extra few kilometres round-trip to
customs after leaving the U. S. side of the reserve and the Quebec Mohawk
villages of Snye and St. Regis.

Those Mohawks fingered at customs for failing to report earlier are being
asked to pay $1,000, or watch their motor vehicles be impounded.

The charges and seizures surprised Akwesasne officials, who didn't have
time to warn residents. "We were definitely off-guard, even though we knew
this might happen at the end of (September),"Mitchell said.

He said negotiations to address numerous issues, such as the arming of
customers officers, have been ongoing for some time.

"This action is aggressive and totally inconsistent with the cooperative
approach that had been taken by CBSA in meetings with (Akwesasne)," said a
follow-up statement by Akwesasne council.

Mohawks accused of failing to report were identified by a camera mounted
on the U. S. side of the reserve -- a measure Mitchell said was "placed by
higher ups in Washington (D. C.) as a courtesy to Canada."

A statement issued by CBSA through spokesperson Tracie Leblanc was
unapologetic about the agency's international security responsibilities.

"The CBSA is required to ensure that all travelers to Canada report to the
temporary port of entry located in Cornwall. These rules apply equally to
all travelers."

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The CBSA pointed out that various efforts were made since the temporary
customs opened on July 13 to inform Mohawks of their point of entry
requirements, including a highly visible sign coming into Canada from the
U. S. side of the border, and media coverage notifying the Mohawk council
on Sept. 1 of CBSA's intention to begin enforcing the requirement to
report at the temporary customs.

In addition, a leaflet began recently to notify travelers -- a move borne
out of recent CBSA/Mohawk discussions.

Akwesasne made a counter solution, requesting that its residents notify
customs by telephone when they returned to Cornwall Island.

The CBSA indicated that it favours ongoing discussions with Akwesasne as
well as other stakeholders: Cornwall Mayor Bob Kilger, the business
community, the CBSA union and U. S. counterparts.

Akwesasne stressed that it is committed to a community plebiscite before
Oct. 31 that could allow the CBSA to reoccupy the abandoned customs on
Cornwall Island. But the latest CBSA action "is extremely detrimental to
the process to seek reconciliation of past grievances," the Mohawk council
stated.

Now the council is fighting back with economic pressure.

"Akwesasne leadership is urging all community members to stop going to
Cornwall while political and legal solutions to CBSA's hostile actions are
addressed," the council stated.

While recognizing the centuries-old ties between the city and Akwesasne,
Kilger sympathized with the CBSA's responsibilities.

"We live on a border, so we have additional reasons to have concerns
related to security and those matters are entrusted to (the CBSA)," Kilger
said.

"There comes a time when you have to have compliance and when compliance
is not occurring, then we have to be concerned about the border and our
own well being."

The mayor refrained from commenting on seeking direct economic
compensation from Ottawa for the loss of business -- a stance earlier
espoused by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.

However, he was more forceful on recouping infrastructure expenses related
to the operation of the temporary customs locale.

"It becomes a greater issue if the temporary arrangement would extend,
personally, beyond a calendar year (from July). I would encourage council
to take a position to negotiate with the federal government for additional
compensation."

Local MP Guy Lauzon maintained his neutrality in terms of CBSA's response
to Akwesasne.

"(Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan) has given authority to the
CBSA to deal with (Akwesasne)," Lauzon said.

"I can't do anything politically -- it's national security, an act of
Parliament."

For the community's response to this issue, please check the comments
posted at www.standard-freeholder.com.