[IPSM] Akwesasne Update

[sarita at resist.ca]

FYI...

Harry and the Akwesasne People's Fire

http://akwesasnecounterspin.wordpress.com/

With his CBSA helmet and raingear, honorary firekeeper “Harry” watches
over the Akwesasne People’s Fire on Kahwenoke (‘Cornwall Island’). The
fire has been burning at the main crossroads since May 1, 2009 and now,
nearly six months later, a building constructed by community members so
that elders and others may stay warm over the winter is nearly complete.

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) building, abandoned since June
1st, looms in the background. CBSA abandoned the post within the Akwesasne
Mohawk reserve when residents announced their rejection of the Canadian
government’s plan to arm the CBSA agents on June 1st. Police shut down the
international Seaway bridges and border crossing just minutes before
midnight June 1st, as hundreds of Mohawk residents gathered to protest the
imminent arming of CBSA agents within their territory.

The bridge and border crossing were re-opened in mid-July, when CBSA set
up a makeshift post at the foot of the bridge over in the city of
Cornwall, Ontario. After decades of racial profiling and harassment,
Akwesasne residents have now been facing heavy fines and vehicle seizures
by CBSA if after crossing into New York they do not immediately drive
straight through the island and get in the often lengthy one lane line-up
on the bridge to report to CBSA. Island residents are also obligated to
wait in the line and go through Canadian customs even when only traveling
from Kahwenoke into Cornwall for groceries, appointments, or to pick up
their children from high school.

Some Akwesasne residents are avoiding Cornwall altogether. Some report to
CBSA. Some do not. Many have faced stiff fines and vehicle seizures.
Several Akwesasne residents have also been subject to harassment,
arbitrary detentions, and criminal charges at the CBSA post in Cornwall.

Higher-ranking federal government officials have largely remained silent
despite the ongoing conflict and human rights abuses, while CBSA
negotiators walked out of the last [court-ordered!] meeting with Mohawk
Council of Akwesasne representatives, alledging that they had not agreed
to the presence of a MCA lawyer at the table. A meeting concerning ongoing
harassment and vehicle seizures has been scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, community residents continue to prepare for winter and finish
the new building, installing the insulation. Dinner is a community
gathering almost every evening. And the Akwesasne People’s Fire still
burns.

Harry watches it all in silence.

- Sandra Cuffe