Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Daily Briefing
June 4, 2009
10am
On June 3rd, Akwesasne leaders from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs held a leadership meeting to discuss ongoing developments and peaceful efforts to have meaningful dialogue with the Government of Canada. One item that was discussed by Akwesasne leaders was the need to re-open the Three Nations Bridge Crossing for traffic.
Given the urgency to re-open the North Span of the bridge crossing, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne conducted special meetings on June 3rd that were well attended in each of the three districts to allow for broader consultation with community members. Last night’s leadership meeting was an opportunity to also consult with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs on efforts to open the South Span. The results of that consultation with Akwesasne leaders and community members are being compiled.
CBSA’s decision to close the bridge crossing has disrupted the lives of Akwesasne residents and surrounding communities, with the full impact continuing to be determined. Akwesasne shares the same desire of surrounding community’s to have the bridge crossing re-opened to all traffic as soon as possible, but in a manner that addresses our community’s needs and respects special negotiated arrangement that were made to allow Kawehnoke residents to travel to Cornwall for food, supplies, and other essential needs.
When CBSA voluntarily left the border facility prior to the June 1st deadline, both spans of the bridge crossing were immediately closed by Cornwall City Police and U.S. officials. Through respectful negotiations, MCA District Chiefs, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services, and the Cornwall City Police were successful in re-opening just the North Span bridge for Akwesasne residents and emergency response personnel. That agreement is continuing to be respected and honored at the North Span of the crossing.
It never was nor is it, Akwesasne’s desire to disrupt the flow of traffic or to block the bridge crossing. We would never take any actions that would adversely impact the ability of our own people to travel within our own community. Akwesasne Mohawks comprise nearly 70% of travelers that utilize this Port of Entry to visit family and friends, go to school or to the hospital, do business or shop in nearby communities, attend community meetings and gatherings, or for a multitude of reasons to travel.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has continually stated that our community’s issues are with CBSA’s arming initiative and the abusive actions of two CBSA Officers, not the bridge or the entities that administer it. We are, therefore, encouraging other external agencies to meet with Akwesasne leaders and discuss appropriate measures to resume the flow of traffic through both spans of the Three Natons Bridge Crossing.
We are continuing to seek an exemption or postponement of the arming initiative so that proper consultation can take place with the Mohawk community of Akwesasne. We are also seeking a resolution to the numerous complaints filed against two CBSA Officers for abusing their powers and violating the rights of our community members.
We urge the Government of Canada to take a common sense approach and resolve Akwesasne’s issues through positive and meaningful dialogue.
