Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Protests Canadian Customs Officers Carrying Firearms
Arming Customs Officers is Act of Aggression against Akwesasne Community
Enniskó:wa / March 25, 2008AKWESASNE, ONTARIO ─ The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has condemned the Government of Canada’s intention to begin the process of allowing customs officers to carry firearms at the Port of Entry in the district of Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island) starting April 1, 2008. The Mohawk Council views the arming as a blatant act of aggression against the community of Akwesasne and that it will intentionally place the safety of all travelers in jeopardy, especially the Akwesasne Mohawk People. This aggressive action by the Canadian Government will also cause unnecessary and irreparable damage to efforts by MCA and the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) to develop a cooperative working relationship.
“The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has voiced our community’s serious concern to Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day earlier this month without any response from his office,” said MCA Grand Chief Tim Thompson. He noted, “Our Mohawk Security Officers and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service have a long history of working cooperatively alongside Canada customs officers in providing for a safe and secure border crossing. Individual CBSA officers have purposefully violated the rights of Akwesasne Mohawks and instigated altercations as justification for firearms.”
In a letter to the Minister of Public Safety, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne indicated that they were never consulted about Canada’s intention to arm its customs officers, even though the Akwesasne community vehemently opposed this action. Combined with acts of provocation by CBSA officers, MCA has filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The complaint issued with the Human Rights Commission has received no favorable results.
The Kawehnoke Port of Entry is the only Canadian Customs located on a First Nations Territory. It is situated in a residential district at a major crossroad on Kawehnoke. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is, therefore, vigorously opposed to the arming of customs officers and is greatly concerned for the safety of community members and other travelers that utilize the border crossing.
The roads at the customs facility are a major route for district residents that regularly travel to and from the Island. An August 2002 Report co-commissioned by Transport Canada found that Akwesasne Mohawks account for up to 70% of traffic that pass through the customs facility on a daily basis. The majority of Kawehnoke travelers use the border crossing several times a day on their way to work or school, to carry on daily business, to visit family and friends, to frequent the Anowarako:wa Arena, to participate in cultural ceremonies, or to attend other community activities.
The carrying of firearms by customs officers at the crossroad area will create a dangerous environment for many district residents, including a large number of children. A bus stop is located at the crossroad where children gather every weekday. Additionally, a large play area is located adjacent to the customs facility that is actively used by local youth for riding bicycles, four-wheeling, sliding, playing ball, or other activities.
“We will not allow our children to be directly placed in harms way,” said Grand Chief Thompson. He added, “MCA has inherent jurisdiction over our lands and an undeniable duty to protect the individual rights and the safety of our community members, including the protection of our children.”
In response to Canada’s intention to arm customs officers, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne unanimously passed a resolution that places a ban on the carrying of firearms by CBSA officers at the Kawehnoke Port of Entry. The resolution also demands that an immediate consultation process or commission of inquiry be implemented to re-evaluate the issue of permitting customs officers to carry firearms. An urgent meeting with the Minister of Public Safety, relevant Federal Ministers and senior officials to be held before April 1st was also stipulated, with no response received as of today.
“The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has attempted to meet with the Government of Canada to find the best solution to issues that are respectful of our community,” added Grand Chief Thompson. He concluded, “We continue to await a response from the federal government and will explore ways to facilitate the safe and expedited passage of community members within Akwesasne.”
