Akwesasne Mohawks Propose Consultation to Resolve CBSA Dispute
Ohiari:ha / June 9, 2009
AKWESASNE, ONTARIO — The Mohawks of Akwesasne stated today that they share the same goal as the neighboring communities of Cornwall and Massena to re-open the Three Nations Bridge Crossing and has been patiently waiting for the Canadian Government to put forth good-faith efforts to address the situation at Akwesasne. The Canadian Border Service Agency’s decision to close the bridge crossing has created unnecessary hardships to everyone in the Akwesasne community, as well as in nearby communities. Akwesasne leaders continue to seek a formal meeting with the Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan and a peaceful resolution to Akwesasne’s issues, including meaningful consultation.
The voluntary walk-out by CBSA border guards, which triggered an immediate closure of the international crossing by the Seaway International Bridge Corporation and United States Customs, has resulted into an economic embargo that unfairly discriminates against the Mohawk people of Akwesasne, but also detrimentally affects the good people of Cornwall and Massena. Our three communities are closely connected and we support each other’s economy.
Akwesasne has repeatedly reached out to the Canadian Government to open up negotiations on the Customs issues - especially on the arming of Canada Customs officers. Letters seeking a formal meeting were sent to previous Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day on March 3, 2008 and to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on March 20, 2009, which was copied to current Public Safety Minster Van Loan. There has been no formal response other than acknowledging receipt of our letter nearly six months later.
The lack of response has been disappointing, to say the least, for even the President of the Canadian Border Services Agency Stephen Rigby has failed to call Akwesasne leaders to arrange formal discussions, despite a promise he made on Thursday, May 28th to do so. Further to that, the Minister of Public Safety Peter Van Loan has not offered to meet with the Mohawks of Akwesasne, choosing instead to do political posturing and make hard-line statements in the media that is proving to be detrimental to our people throughout the region.
Akwesasne points to the UN Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples which lists consultation among its important principles. Even though Canada is one of only three nations in
the world that still has NOT signed this international declaration, its citizens would agree that this recognized document supports basic humanitarian ideals. Article 19 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says:
“States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative and administrative measures that may affect them.”
In the interest of all peoples, the Mohawks of Akwesasne urge the Government of Canada to formally adopt this kind of respectful behavior when dealing with its own First Nation peoples. It is time for Canada to join the UN member-states and begin having meaningful consultation and fair consideration of Mohawk rights. It’s disturbing that the federal government chooses to not be a part of an international community that already understands the need to consult with its Indigenous Peoples, particularly on federal legislation that directly impacts them.
Given the negative attitude and abusive behavior that has persisted for years by some individual Canada customs officers toward the people of Akwesasne, the people of Akwesasne have a rightful reason to fear for our own safety. In fact, the forced arming of Canada’s border agents upon the Mohawks of Akwesasne can be seen as racist, morally condemnable and socially unjust. It’s equivalent to putting salt on an open wound.
The Canadian Government needs to respond to our repeated requests to address our issues and directly contact Akwesasne leaders. The federal government needs to properly consult with the people of Akwesasne about our past grievances against CBSA and give due consideration to the rights of Mohawk people on our own land. They need to exempt our Mohawk community from the arming initiative while proper consultation takes place.
The Mohawks of Akwesasne encourage supporters to help urge the Minister of Public Safety to contact Akwesasne leadership and to have respectful and meaningful consultation.
Please contact:
Hon. Peter Van Loan
Minster of Public Security
Tel: (613) 996-7752
Fax: (613) 992-8351
Email: VanLoP@parl.gc.ca
