INDIAN TIME - Vol. 23 #18 - Onerahtohko:wa/May 5, 2005 Edition - Page 7

The following letter concerning border crossing issues was sent from MCA to various Canadian leaders. It is printed here (courtesy of MCA) for the purpose of educating and informing our Akwesasne readers.

Onerahtokha / April 21, 2005

Honourable A. Anne McLellan, Deputy Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Affairs

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0A6

Watkwanonweraton:

Due to our unique geographical location, the Mohawks of Akwesasne travel across the Canada-US border at Kawehnoke (Cornwall Island) on a daily basis. Many of our people cross the International border multiple times in a day, to carry on "everyday-living-at-Akwesasne" such as getting children to school; grocery shopping; carrying on community and personal business; attending to traditional practices; keeping health appointments; going to church, etc.

In our unique situation, daily interaction by our community members back and forth across the border, is what is required to keep up relationships between individuals, families, and the community as a whole. This is an aspect of what keeps the Akwesasne Community and our Mohawk culture alive today.

We have noticed that due to the threat of terrorism and the anxiety at most International border crossings, Akwesasne is again finding that their daily border crossing is again becoming confrontational and frustrating.

Initial contacts have been made with some Canadian officials. Last month a delegation from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne met with Canada Customs representatives Rick Commerford (A/Regional Director General, N. Ontario Region, CBSA), Rod Hart (supervisor of the Cornwall Island crossing) as well as Judy Cluthe and Donna Dear. This meeting was in regard to clarifying the Akwesasne Remission Order and how Canada Customs officials have applied their line of questioning to the Mohawks of Akwesasne in daily interaction at the Akwesasne crossing.

We propose that we put our minds together to find solutions to the current border crossing issues facing us with a focus on the following topics:

AKWESASNE REMISSION ORDER:

Problems have arisen from time to time throughout our history hampering our ability to cross the border freely with our own personal and community property. To alleviate some of the inconvenience to the Akwesasne community, Akwesasne and Canada agreed to the provisions made in the June 13, 1991 Akwesasne Remission Order.

The Akwesasne Remission Order was used as a method to assist our people in transporting their personal and community goods across the International border free from taxes and duties. We propose that we revisit the Akwesasne Remission Order and update it to incorporate current jurisprudence and the modern crossing practices of today.

IDENTIFICATION:

We recognize that border security has become an important priority in both Canada and the United States. Akwesasne Mohawks have the same concerns regarding community safety and we have been working with both governments to create a secure identification card for use by our people. We have made some progress in this area and have some ideas to share with you.

DECLARATION:

We understand that the questions asked at Customs are important in keeping Canada secure, but it is also an important component of respect that our rights be acknowledged. There has been tension at the Akwesasne port of entry into Canada and we believe that we have some suggestions that would help to alleviate that problem.

COMMUNITY STORES:

Developing a secure economy within our community is very important to our people. Community Stores in Akwesasne do not have the same market share that businesses outside of Akwesasne do. It is essential to the survival of these small businesses that they are able to utilize our collective right to bring goods from the United States into Canada without payment of duties and taxes. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how this could work.

POINT OF ENTRY:

Since Akwesasne is not the only point of entry into Canada, we would like to discuss with you the ways that we could expect consistency in your treatment of our people wherever they cross the border into Canada. We have some ideas on that also.

Our responsibility as governments is to exercise our laws and rights, in a respectful and responsible way. We believe that despite the unnerving pressures of the time, we should exercise respectful behaviour in our daily interactions. We believe that we will benefit now and in the future from taking these first steps to build a good relationship.

Our task now is to find the best way to interact with each other respectfully and exercise our laws and rights using the best approaches in everyday use.

We look forward to meeting with you in the near future to discuss the current situation at the borders and to offer some insight and suggestions for change that could build a better relationship while working to protect the safety and security of all our peoples. We can be contacted at (613) 575-2348.

Niawenkowa tanon Skennen.