BY: SHANNON BURNS

INDIAN TIME - Vol. 24 #17 - Onerahtohko:wa / May 4, 2006 Edition - Page 4

Mohawks have continued to occupy a site on Kawehnoke in a gesture of support for those protestors at Caledonia/Six Nations. This week, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Angie Barnes refuted recent media reports that Mohawks would shut down the International crossing.

"Any individual action that goes against our community's unified approach to resolving the situation near Six Nations canot be attributed to any specific group or entity at Akwesasne," said Barnes. "MCA firmly believes that the unified show of support at Kawehnoke will not spark any situation where our own people would be adversely impacted."

John Boots, a spokesman for the Kawehnoke protestors, reportedly made the threats last week to close down the crossing, but has since said he is working with MCA to find peaceful methods for supporting Six Nations.

The Cornwall Island demonstration began April 21, a day after police moved in to arrest several protestors at the Caledonia protest site. The Natives there say that a subdivision being built is on Native-owned land that was wrongfully taken from the Six Nations reserve.

Throughout Indian country other Native communities have stepped forward to offer their support.

The Kawehnoke site, on International Road, is adorned with a large tent and a constantly burning fire. The crowd there fluctuates from as many as forty to as few as one.

"It should be seen as an expression of support by the Mohawk people of Akwesasne for efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the situation near the territory of Six Nations," said Barnes.